CATEGORIES

France's love affair with the cinema helps homegrown films to flourish

The most-watched films in French cinemas last year were a feelgood comedy featuring a cast of non-professional actors with disabilities and a swashbuckling three-hour costume drama based on a 1,500-page novel first published in 1844.

Celibate gay men to be allowed to train as Roman Catholic priests

Gay men will be allowed to train as priests in Roman Catholic seminaries so long as they observe celibacy, according to guidelines announced by the Italian bishops conference yesterday.

South African Police Rescue 26 Naked Men Held by People Traffickers

South African police have rescued 26 Ethiopians from a suspected human trafficking ring holding them naked in a house in Johannesburg.

Libya forcibly deports hundreds of Nigeriens across Sahara desert

More than 600 people have been forcibly deported from Libya on a \"dangerous and traumatising\" journey across the Sahara, in what is thought to be one of the largest expulsions from the north African country to date.

Maduro sworn in for third time after 'fraudulent' election win

Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in for a third term as Venezuela's president, despite domestic outrage and international condemnation of his alleged theft of last year's election.

'Ultimate nightmare' Europe fears outcome of friendly fire from the US

Europe fears outcome of friendly fire from the US

No punishment for Trump in historic hush-money case on eve of new term

Donald Trump will avoid jail time for his felony conviction in the New York hush-money case, a judge determined yesterday, marking both a dramatic and anti-climactic development in the historic criminal proceedings before he returns to the White House.

Analysis A slap on the wrist - and part of the blame lies with Biden

At his campaign rallies last year, Donald Trump would sometimes gaze up at the heavens and wonder what his late mother and father would have thought of their son standing trial as an accused criminal.

'We need more Oslos' City transformed by quiet, low-emission construction

afseer Ali felt no need to raise his voice as the pair of diggers lumbered past him, their treads weighing heavy on the rock and asphalt. Quiet electric machines like these make it easy to work in the city centre, the construction manager said - and keep the neighbours happy. \"If they have less noise, we get fewer complaints.\"

'Nature can recover' Quiet optimism at return of wildlife to North Sea coast

From the outside, the Tunny Club looks like any other seaside fish and chip shop. A short walk from Scarborough harbour, only the photos of John Wayne and Errol Flynn on the wall betray the shop's fleeting history as a global centre for big-game fishing.

Bet the Zuck and his $1m watch don't worry about his no-claims discount

The AFSCA (Belgium's federal agency for ensuring food supply chain safety - but of course you knew that) has been forced to issue a warning to the good people of Poirot's homeland not to eat their Christmas trees.

Parched patch in New Zealand crowned world's ugliest lawn

A sun-scorched patch of lawn near Christchurch, New Zealand, has been crowned the ugliest in the world.

Hi-fi connection The rise of listening bars where music is top of the menu

Paul Noble was working as a radio producer and sound engineer when his frequent travels to Tokyo sparked the idea for a change of career.

Almost 900 weapons seized at young offender institution

Almost 900 weapons were seized in one year from children detained in a young offender institution in West Yorkshire, a prisons watchdog said yesterday.

New rules 'could be a disaster' for UK visa system

The UK's already burdened immigration services could be overwhelmed this summer after a new visa waiver system comes into force for European business travellers and tourists, a leading law firm has said.

Glimmers of hope Even in difficult times, Our readers show remarkable generosity

Few weeks ago we launched our appeal in aid of victims of war and conflict in a mood of both gloom and optimism: despair at the terrible scale of human suffering in the world this year, but hope generated by the inspiring work of our partner charities.

Past updated Teachers encouraged to enter into conflict

Half a million students studied GCSE or A-Level history in the UK last year, but only 2,000 of them tackled the origins of the conflict raging in the Middle East. Why?

Top actors warn cash crisis may cut access to drama schools

World-leading drama schools in England face a financial crisis that threatens to shut down opportunities for talented young people from diverse and less privileged backgrounds, according to leading figures in the arts.

Commander of top combat unit looks for international battalion recruits

Ukraine's highest profile combat unit is seeking English-speaking recruits at a time when the impending presidency of Donald Trump means that Kyiv is expected to come under intense pressure on the battlefield.

Pride, love and grief 15 Britons who lost their lives on frontline

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, 15 Britons are known to have died in the conflict. The Guardian looks at those who have lost their lives on the frontline.

'Red flag' weather Return of strong winds raises alert for more fire

Return of strong winds raises alert for more fire

Political firestorm Trump and allies using disaster to attack California Democrats

The president-elect and his Maga (make America great again) acolytes have used the fires to attack the Democratic political ruling establishment in Los Angeles and California - possibly foretelling power struggles ahead over a range of issues after Donald Trump assumes office this month.

Oatzempic to navel oil Can TikTok health hacks really work?

The deluge of improbable health hacks on TikTok can only mean it's the start of a new year. Here we look at some of the more curious tips and the evidence, where there is any, behind them.

Lost to the flames Family homes in a thriving enclave reduced to ashes

In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, street after street tells the story of the firestorm that swept through the area in the past two days.

Eggs-ellent choice: demand for hard-boiled favourite increases in scramble for protein

It was news to make even the most hard-boiled crisp manufacturer shudder: when Tesco released a list of the most-bought meal deal items for 2024, McCoy's flame grilled steak grab bags had fallen off their perch as its shoppers' favourite snack.

Relocation help might have saved boy's life, says charity

The life of a 14-year-old stab victim could have been saved had he been helped to move out of south-east London, according to an anti-knife crime charity that knew him.

Family sue for £2.15bn over fatal Leicester City helicopter crash

The family of Leicester City FC's former owner, who was killed in a helicopter crash outside the club's stadium in 2018, have launched a lawsuit against the company that made the aircraft.

Markets fear 'stagflation' New year off to a bumpy start for chancellor

New year off to a bumpy start for chancellor

EU Starmer chief of staff sent to Brussels for below-radar talks

Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, made a below-the-radar trip to Brussels last month as No 10 prepares to appoint its own foreign affairs adviser to help bolster the Downing Street policy operation.

Fears for cost of borrowing after US jobs figures trigger global bond market sell-off

Concerns over the government's borrowing costs were revived yesterday after stronger-than-expected US jobs figures triggered volatile conditions in global financial markets.