4 h. ago ‘Buddhism and Björk help me handle fame’: novelist Ocean Vuong

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous made him a literary superstar. Now the Vietnamese American author is exploring his working-class roots in an ambitious follow‑upThere are three kinds of family, muses the novelist and poet Ocean Vuong. There’s the nuclear family, “which often we talk about as the central tenet of American life”. There’s the chosen family, “the pushback”, the community and friendships built by people who have been rejected by their parents, often because of their sexuality or gender identity. And then there’s the family we talk about much less frequently, but spend most of our waking hours within – our colleagues, or what Vuong describes as “the circumstantial family around labour”.Vuong’s forthcoming second novel, The Emperor of Gladness, encompasses them all. There’s its 19-year‑old hero Hai’s relationship with his mother, a poor Vietnamese immigrant who believes that he has fulfilled her desperate aspirations for him by going to university, when he has actually...

Politics

4 h. ago My neighbour's bamboo is costing me thousands... but he doesn't care

Paul Wilkinson, based in New South Wales, told Yahoo News that he has spent almost $3,000 attempting to reverse the damage of a bamboo plant that he says his neighbour first planted five years ago.

Politics

12 h. ago The two lifestyle choices that can ‘increase risk of breast cancer’

Having a healthy diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of breast cancer

Events

13 h. ago New York resident charged after 69 live cats and 24 dead ones are found in his home

Three of the cats recovered were in such poor condition that they had to be euthanized

Society

14 h. ago 'Vaping' nursery worker accused of leaving 23 infants 'writhing in pain'

Roksana Lecka, 22, is accused of punching, grabbing and pinching children in her care at Riverside Nursery, in Twickenham, south west London, and is currently on trial

Politics

18 h. ago Ruben Amorim alternative hints at why he didn't want Man United job after taking rival role

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim was appointed in November after Erik ten Hag was sacked on Halloween following a historically poor start to the season

Politics

20 h. ago Davey urges Lib Dem councils to ‘speak with one voice’ on social care

The party leader addressed councillors following last week’s local elections.

Politics

21 h. ago Hamilton couple who experienced joy and heartbreak over twins' birth pay tribute to Wishaw neonatal staff's care

Amy Brown and Josh Whyte, who tragically lost son Freddie just hours after he and sister Marnie were born, raised £3000 to buy a cold cot for unit, with the support of baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps.

Politics

21 h. ago Compassionate Ayrshire nurse given top award for going over and above

Presented twice a year, the award celebrates staff who demonstrate exceptional compassionate care.

Events

21 h. ago Catholics flock to Westminster Cathedral to offer thanks for new pope

Worshippers outside the place of worship said the new pontiff should focus on humility, peace and the poor.

Politics

23 h. ago Poor care and long A&E trolley waits becoming ‘normalised’, new NHS England chief warns

NHS leaving elderly people in corridors for hours has become ‘normalised’, admits Sir Jim Mackey

Events

23 h. ago Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim prepared for criticism as he prioritises Europa League

Pundits such as Roy Keane have questioned Amorim’s decision to focus on Europe and not the club’s poor domestic form.

Politics

24 h. ago Poor care and long A&E trolley waits becoming ‘normalised’, new NHS chief warns

NHS leaving elderly people in corridors for hours has become ‘normalised’, admits Sir Jim Mackey

Events

25 h. ago NHS has ‘maxed out on what is affordable’ – says new service chief

Sir Jim Mackey called the health service to ‘accelerate’ improvements and stamp out unacceptable care.

Politics

25 h. ago Boots shoppers praise 'fabulous' beauty box that saves £130 on No7 and Sol de Janeiro

Priced at £45, the edit contains 12 items spanning makeup, skincare, hair care and body treats

Economics

26 h. ago DWP says 'limited' number of people can apply for £441 a month benefit each week

Attendance Allowance is a benefit given to those over the State Pension age - which is currently 66 - who need help with day-to-day personal care or supervision due to their illness or disability

Economics

26 h. ago Children's residential care home given planning approval in Merthyr Tydfil

The home in Penydarren will house u to four children aged between eight and 18 years old

Society

36 h. ago Gardeners told to plant 3 flowers that fight weeds but with caution

Gardeners are being advised to plant natural weed-fighting flowers, but to proceed with care, as not all options suit every garden or local ecosystem

Politics

37 h. ago Hospitals in England reducing staff and services as part of NHS ‘financial reset’

Trusts having to ‘think the previously unthinkable’ to make savings demanded by new NHS England bossHospitals in England are cutting staff, closing services and planning to ration care in order to make “eye-watering” savings demanded by NHS bosses.Rehabilitation centres face being shut, talking therapies services cut and beds for end-of-life care reduced as part of efforts by England’s 215 NHS trusts to comply with a “financial reset”.47% were cutting services and another 43% were considering doing so.37% were cutting clinical posts and a further 40% may follow suit.26% were closing some services and 55% more may do so. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Annual blood test for cancer ‘could stop half of cases reaching advanced stage’

Experts said there were 49% fewer late-stage diagnoses and 21% fewer deaths within five years compared to usual patient care.

Events