The Guardian

More than 17in of rain fell in Ventura county, with trees knocked down and hundreds of car crashes throughout regionSouthern Californians are facing an epic clean-up operation after the region’s wettest Christmas holiday in recent history turned areas of the state into a panorama of mud and debris.A year ago, record wildfires scorched the dry neighborhoods of Altadena and Pacific Palisades. But now, in what scientists call “hydroclimate whiplash”, the picture is reversed after an atmospheric river off the Pacific brought the elemental opposites of winds and rain. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/27/southern-california-cleans-up-after-the-wettest-christmas-season-in-recent-history Author : Edward Helmore Publish date

Deputy defence minister says new air defence systems will be completed in 24 monthsPoland plans to complete a new set of anti-drone fortifications along its eastern borders within two years, a top defence official has said, after a massive incursion of unmanned Russian aerial combat vehicles into Polish airspace earlier this year.“We expect to have the first capabilities of the system in roughly six months, perhaps even sooner. And the full system will take 24 months to complete,” the deputy defence minister, Cezary Tomczyk, told the Guardian in an interview in Warsaw. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/27/poland-anti-drone-fortifications-eastern-borders-cezary-tomczyk Author :

Mysterious donors gave a fleet of 10 of the vehicles – which have had a number of recalls – to the police earlier this yearThe Las Vegas police department rolled out a new fleet of tactical vehicles to city streets last month: all Tesla Cybertrucks. The steel cars, wrapped in black-and-white vinyl, come decked out with warning lights and flashing sirens on the roof. They seem to be heftier, more angular versions of a traditional police car. Las Vegas is the first city in the US to grant its officers access to a battalion of the futuristic trucks, which have

Pilot programme for under-25s will offer paid placements aimed at introducing participants to military lifeYoung people in Britain will be offered a gap year-style scheme by the Ministry of Defence, in an effort to introduce citizens to military life early as part of a new “whole of society” approach to defence.After initially announcing plans to implement this scheme earlier this year, the government has now confirmed that about 150 under-25s will be recruited for the pilot programme, which is due to start in March 2026. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/27/ministry-of-defence-to-offer-gap-year-style-scheme-to-young-people Author : Aneesa Ahmed and agencies Publish date :

Attack on Kyiv injures five, says mayor, amid flurry of weekend diplomacy that will see Ukrainian president meet Trump in FloridaEuropean leaders are to take part in a call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump on Saturday as part of a growing push for a peace deal that will see the Ukrainian president head to Florida on Sunday.The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is to join a call on Saturday, a commission spokesperson told Reuters, ahead of the Ukrainian president’s trip to Florida for a Sunday meeting with Trump that Zelenskyy said would focus on some of the

Two countries pledge in joint statement to halt all forms of attacks and further troop deployments in long-running dispute over contested territoryThailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire, pledging to end weeks of deadly border clashes that have killed more than 100 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.In a joint statement, the two south-east Asian neighbours said the ceasefire would take effect on Saturday at noon local time and involve “all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all

Diplomatic breakthrough criticised by African Union, which said it could have ‘far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent’Israel has become the first country to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, a breakthrough in its quest for international recognition since it declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago.The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland had signed an agreement establishing full diplomatic relations, which would include the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/israel-first-country-to-recognise-somaliland-sovereign-state Author : William Christou in Beirut Publish date : 2025-12-27 02:14:00 Copyright for

Royals are expected to make separate trips after Donald Trump paused implementation of agreementKing Charles III and the Prince of Wales are expected to make separate trips to the US in 2026 as part of a campaign to revitalise a trade deal with Donald Trump, it has been reported.Advanced talks on a visit by the king are said to be under way, the Times reported. The paper suggested that Charles’s visit to the US was likely to take place in April. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/27/king-charles-prince-william-expected-to-visit-us-in-2026-to-revitalise-trade-deal Author : Olivia Lee Publish date : 2025-12-27 00:16:00 Copyright for syndicated content

Starting as a roadie and guitar tech, Bamonte joined the band in 1990 after its breakthrough album DisintegrationPerry Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboard player for the Cure, has died aged 65.The musician, known affectionately as Teddy, passed away after a short illness over Christmas, the band announced on their website. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/26/perry-bamonte-guitarist-the-cure-dies Author : Olivia Lee Publish date : 2025-12-26 21:06:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Emergency services were called to property in Brimscombe Hill in Gloucestershire at about 3amThree people are missing after a house fire in the early hours of the morning on Boxing Day, police have said.Emergency services were called to a report of a fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire at about 3am on the 26 December. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/26/people-missing-after-boxing-day-house-fire-near-stroud Author : Olivia Lee Publish date : 2025-12-26 19:36:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

New conviction over plunder of state fund substantially increases six-year term in separate case Jailed former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to an additional 15 years after he was found guilty of abuse of power, in the biggest trial yet in the multibillion-dollar fraud scandal related to state fund 1MDB.Najib’s conviction substantially increases the six-year prison term he is already serving for a separate case related to the 1MDB graft scandal, one of the world’s biggest financial frauds, which saw billions plundered from the now defunct sovereign wealth fund. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/former-malaysian-pm-najib-razak-found-guilty-of-abuse-of-power-in-latest-1mdb-trial Author :

Mudslides, big waves and atmospheric rivers slam state after LA’s wettest Christmas season in 54 yearsA strong storm system that has brought relentless winds, rain and snowfall to California was expected to ease on Friday, but there was still a risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada.Waves near the San Francisco Bay Area could reach up to 25ft (7.6 meters) on Friday, parts of southern California were at risk of flooding, and avalanches could hit the Lake Tahoe area, officials warned. Residents were told to be ready to evacuate

Yusuf Tuggar says strikes against group accused by Donald Trump of attacking Christian communities will be an ‘ongoing process’The US president, Donald Trump, ranted about Jeffrey Epstein in a Christmas Day social media post, claiming that he had dropped links with the disgraced financier and sex offender “long before it became fashionable” and calling the outcry for the release of the documents referred to as the Epstein files a “Radical Left Witch Hunt”.The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny after its handling of the government files related to Epstein. Many political figures are placing pressure on Trump to give more

Russian state has tolerated parallel probiv market for its convenience but now Ukrainian spies are exploiting itRussia is scrambling to rein in the country’s sprawling illicit market for leaked personal data, a shadowy ecosystem long exploited by investigative journalists, police and criminal groups.For more than a decade, Russia’s so-called probiv market – a term derived from the verb “to pierce” or “to punch into a search bar” – has operated as a parallel information economy built on a network of corrupt officials, traffic police, bank employees and low-level security staff willing to sell access to restricted government or corporate databases.

Letter from 19 organisations says a cap would help to protect democracy, weeks after £9m donation to Reform UKMinisters should legislate to cap political donations to “rebuild voter confidence” in democracy, campaigners have said before the introduction of a landmark elections bill.The government is being urged to show more ambition as it prepares to publish legislation early next year that will extend the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/26/uk-ministers-urged-to-cap-political-donations-to-rebuild-voter-confidence Author : Eleni Courea Political correspondent Publish date : 2025-12-26 07:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Police say there is no indication John Argento, 47, poses specific risk to the Jewish community, but believe he may be able to help with investigationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria police have named a man they want to interview in relation to a suspected arson attack on a car sporting a “Happy Chanukah” sign in Melbourne on Christmas Day.Police said emergency services were called to a vehicle displaying a mobile billboard that had been set alight in the driveway of a property in St Kilda East about 2.50am on Thursday. Continue reading... Source link

Bushfire that is believed to have started at Boddington goldmine still uncontained, while monsoon trough soaks north-eastern AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians on both sides of the country have been warned to remain vigilant as floods and fires threatened their homes on Boxing Day.A bushfire continued to rage about 200km south-east of Perth on Friday morning, although nearby residents were no longer being urged to leave their homes. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/26/homes-threatened-as-bushfire-rages-south-east-of-perth-and-storms-hit-queensland-and-northern-territory Author : Australian Associated Press Publish date : 2025-12-26 01:42:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Police allege the man also trespassed at ANU and ‘stuck propaganda-style stickers’ on buildings and other propertyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn 18-year-old has been charged with allegedly performing two separate Nazi salutes at Canberra shopping centres and putting up “propaganda-style stickers” in recent months.The man is expected to appear before ACT magistrates court on Friday, where police will allege in October a member of the public confronted him as he stuck stickers up at a shopping centre and then performed a Nazi salute before leaving the centre. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/26/man-charged-after-allegedly-performing-nazi-salutes-at-canberra-shopping-centres-ntwnfb Author

Sergei Udaltsov, Putin critic affiliated with the Communist party, convicted of justifying terrorismA court in Russia on Thursday convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin of justifying terrorism and sentenced him to six years in prison.Sergei Udaltsov, the leader of the Left Front movement that opposes Putin and is affiliated with the Communist party, was arrested last year. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/sergei-udaltsov-terrorism Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2025-12-25 19:31:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Emergency services launched major search at Budleigh Salterton after reports of people in difficulty in the waterTwo men are believed to be missing in the water off a beach in Devon, after a number of people were reported to be in difficulty.Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/25/two-men-feared-missing-in-sea-off-devon-beach-on-christmas-day Author : Nadeem Badshah and PA Media Publish date : 2025-12-25 17:21:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

High streets and online sellers set to benefit as cash-strapped consumers eke out post-Christmas bargainsUK shoppers are expected to spend £3.8bn this Boxing Day, 2% more than last year, with online sellers experiencing most of that growth but high streets also enjoying a boost from a renewed appetite for post-Christmas bargains.Boxing Day remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, but in recent years the dash for the high street has eased as more people opt to search for bargains from the sofa. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/25/renewed-zeal-for-boxing-day-sales-retailers-consumers Author : Sarah Butler Publish date : 2025-12-25 15:58:00

Exclusive: Scientists find a way to forecast hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which affects millions worldwideScientists are developing a simple blood test to predict who is most at risk from the world’s most common inherited heart condition.Millions of people worldwide have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease of the heart muscle where the wall of the heart becomes thickened. It is caused by a change in one or more genes and mostly passed on through families. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/25/blood-test-predict-risk-inherited-heart-condition-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy Author : Andrew Gregory Health editor Publish date : 2025-12-25 13:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler says union ready to stand up for struggling Americans: ‘Which side are you on?’Donald Trump has staged a year of “unrelenting attacks on working people,” according to the head of the largest federation of the labor unions in the US. Now they’re preparing to fight back.Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, said it was gearing up to challenge the US president’s “Billionaire First” agenda in 2026 – and drive candidates in key elections to stand up for “struggling” Americans. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/25/trump-labor-unions-afl-cio Author : Michael Sainato Publish date : 2025-12-25 11:00:00 Copyright for

Kateryna Endeberia says teachers made the ‘hurtful’ request when she had difficulty with other subjectsA Ukrainian refugee has been forced to drop out of sixth-form college after she said she was put under pressure to study Russian.Kateryna Endeberia moved to Stoke-on-Trent after fleeing Ukraine in 2022, after the start of Russia’s invasion. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/ukrainian-refugee-leaves-uk-sixth-form-college-that-urged-her-to-study-russian Author : Rachel Hall Publish date : 2025-12-25 08:34:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Royal Horticultural Society’s call backs government aim to increase woodland cover from 10% to at least 16.5% by 2050Gardeners should plant native “tredges” – foliage between the size of a tree and a hedge – to boost England’s tree cover, the Royal Horticultural Society has said.Taking inspiration from ancient woodlands could boost wildlife across England’s 25m gardens, according to experts, and help increase native tree cover. The UK’s woodland cover is approximately 10% and the government aims to increase this to at least 16.5% of all land in England by 2050.Beech (Fagus sylvatica)Holly (Ilex aquifolium)Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)Common yew