CATEGORIES

Schools in Serbia to shut early as student protests spread over station roof collapse

Schools across Serbia will close for the winter holidays a week earlier than planned as the government of the nationalist president, Aleksandar Vučić, seeks to stop anti-corruption protests that have gripped universities from spreading to the secondary education sector.

Family of Ethiopian hero claim medal taken by Italian troops

Descendants of a hero of Ethiopia's resistance against European imperialism are seeking to retrieve a gold medal taken from him by Italian troops, after the artefact's current holder failed to sell it at auction.

Holy trail Assisi braced for influx as faithful celebrate jubilee and millennial saint

Inside a souvenir shop in Assisi, the face of a boy with thick black curly hair smiles out from wall tapestries, fridge magnets and keyrings, outshining the flying cherubim, snow globes and other religious trinkets that cram the shelves.

'The fat one': lottery fever grips Spain as winners share €2.7bn pot

Players with winning tickets in Spain's huge Christmas lottery draw celebrated with sparkling wine, cheers and hugs yesterday in a 200-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of the festive season.

Zelenskyy urges Ukraine diplomats to fight hard for Nato membership

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told his country's diplomats that Ukraine will have to fight to persuade allies to allow it to take up Nato membership, but has described the goal as \"achievable\" as Kyiv searches for security guarantees to protect it from Russia.

Lib Dems could force Commons vote on Waspi compensation

The Liberal Democrats could force a Commons vote on compensation for the Waspis (women against state pension inequality), the party's deputy leader has said, capitalising on unease among Labour MPs over ministers' decision to rule it out.

Funding gap for women's centres 'will mean more prison sentences'

A £5m funding gap for women's centres will lead to more women being imprisoned and derail government reform plans, experts warn.

'A long-distance hug' Readers on the joy - and cost - of Christmas cards

The soaring price of stamps has cast doubt on the future of Christmas cards, but despite the money and time involved, it seems Gen Z want to keep the festive tradition, likened to sending a \"long-distance hug\".

'It needs to be safe' PinkNews claims prompt fears for LGBTQ+ reporting

As it nears its 20th anniversary next year, PinkNews should be celebrating a period that has seen remarkable progress for some but not all LGBTQ+ people in Britain.

Visa income threshold a 'cruel' barrier to family reunions, says charity

Thousands of children are facing Christmas with one of their parents stranded abroad owing to the Home Office's restrictive visa policies, leading to charities branding the UK \"one of the worst countries in the world for family reunion\".

Reopening of Citizens marks Scottish drama renaissance

The long-awaited reopening of the Citizens theatre in Glasgow will mark a turning point for Scottish drama in 2025, with new artistic leadership across several venues, including Alan Cumming at Pitlochry Festival theatre, and a renewed determination to champion work beyond London.

Right-minded pals? Why Musk wants to put his money behind Farage's Reform UK

The get-together last week of Elon Musk, Nigel Farage and Reform UK's treasurer, Nick Candy, wasn't just a gathering of Donald Trump fans. It was a meeting of minds.

Disabled customers put at risk of hardship after banks scrap 'lifeline' trust accounts

People with disabilities are facing potential hardship because banks are scrapping trust accounts that allow money to be managed safely on their behalf.

Tea or coffee can limit risk of neck cancers, studies find

If the only thing getting you through a mountain of present-wrapping is a mug of tea or coffee, be of good cheer.

Family of pioneering artist fear 'plundering' of her works

The family of the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint claim a potential agreement between a leading gallerist and the foundation responsible for preserving her work could lead to a \"plundering\" of her early 20th century abstract pieces.

Police are still spying on reporters, say pair who were illegally targeted

Two investigative journalists who were unlawfully spied on by police say they are in \"no doubt\" reporters continue to be targeted in the UK.

Surging demand and shrinking budgets: there is no quick fix for a system that is on its knees

Despite council attempts to ration educational health and care plans, the number increased by 140% between 2014 and 2023

'I'm in a war' Parents clash with struggling councils amid Send funding crisis

'We've appealed to the council but it could take months. It's emotionally and physically draining' Paul McAnenny Father of Tommy

Doctors warn of danger to children from water beads

Doctors yesterday issued a health warning over tiny water beads amid reports linking them to serious harm and deaths among children.

Priest in sexual abuse case reappointed twice by archbishop of York

The archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has come under increased pressure after reports that he twice reappointed a priest at the heart of a sexual abuse case.

First UK double lung transplant carried out with machine to keep organs alive

Surgeons have performed a double lung transplant using a novel machine that revives donor organs and keeps them alive and breathing outside the human body for the first time in the UK.

Theatre review Rhinestones aren't enough to make Dolly show sparkle

Here You Come Again Riverside Studios, London ★★★★☆

Winds disrupt festive travel as ferries and flights are cancelled

Thousands of people in the UK are facing a Christmas travel nightmare as strong winds led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and ferries.

More buses and coaches to operate on Christmas Day

More buses and coaches are expected to be operating on Christmas Day than at any time since figures were first collected five years ago.

Trump threatens to take back control of Panama Canal

Donald Trump has demanded control of the Panama Canal be returned to the US if Panama does not manage the waterway in a fashion that is acceptable to him - and he accused the central American country of charging excessive fees for its use.

Dickens book read by Scott's doomed team on show for centenary of museum

A seal blubber-stained copy of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield that survived Captain Scott's 1910 expedition to Antarctica will form part of an exhibition marking 100 years since the writer's first London home opened as a museum.

Alternative Christmas message to champion disabled people

This year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4 will be an appeal from the comedian Chris McCausland calling for an end to discrimination against disabled people.

Bosses expect sharp fall in business activity as economic gloom deepens

Firms are predicting a sharp fall in activity in the new year in the latest snapshot showing an increasingly gloomy outlook for the economy.

Charity appeal Readers' donations pass £800,000

More than £800,000 has been donated to the Guardian and Observer charity appeal to support victims of conflict and war just over two weeks into the campaign.

Magdeburg suspect was known to police

The German government has vowed to investigate whether a Christmas market car attack that killed five people and injured 200 could have been prevented, after it emerged that authorities had received warnings about the suspect.