It has been a year dominated by Donald Trump. It has not yet even been 12 full months since his return to the White House in January but already the changes he has wrought – both in the US and around the world – seemed scarcely conceivable in 2024. Katharine Viner, the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, tells Annie Kelly what it has looked like from the editor’s chair: from the deployment of the national guard on American streets, to the humiliation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, to the erosion of the rules that once governed peace and war. In the UK, she describes a Labour government failing to tell its story and missing chance after chance to tackle the rise of Reform and the far right. Support the Guardian today: theguardian.com/todayinfocuspod

He took a mental health break from the game in 2021 and later released a documentary which detailed his personal struggles. Ben Duckett (right) in conversation with Rob Key (left) at the MCG (Robbie Stephenson/PA)“I am obviously aware of the reports and everything circulating around. Supporting them and letting them know that I will be there for them through thick and thin is very, very important, and Ben Duckett knows that. It’s not a nice place to be.”With no reserve openers on tour, Duckett was never likely to be stood down in Melbourne, but as expected Ollie Pope has finally run out of road at number three. He now faces a return to county cricket and a long road back after 64 Tests.

A family business based in Diss is eagerly anticipating its major move to a new site following the approval of a warehouse extension. The business is currently spread across four units in the industrial estate in Vince’s Road. Once the major extension is completed, PEL will move all of its units into the new space. He said: “We’ve been looking for a larger building for a long time, so it’s great to finally have this opportunity. PEL has had a planning application approved for an extension to a warehouse in Vince's Road, Diss.

The Trump administration has recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and senior diplomats from overseas posts as part of a plan to elevate loyal appointees within the State Department, diplomatic sources reveal. This move marks an unusual break from tradition, as career foreign service officers typically remain in place after an administration change due to their nonpartisan roles. Several current and former diplomats confirmed the recall of these ambassadors, many of whom head embassies in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) voiced strong concerns that this process politicizes the diplomatic corps. Diplomats worry that these changes will erode the professionalism and apolitical nature of the foreign service.

In partnership withOpinion for The Latino NewsletterUS Marine Corps helicopters fly above a U.S. Navy landing craft in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. A U.S. colony since 1898, Puerto Rico is now a pawn in U.S. military actions against Maduro. Clearly, these interests do not include the people of Puerto Rico. It’s as if whatever happens to Puerto Rico is simply collateral damage in Trump’s pursuit of regional empire-building. The Drug Scourge“I think the war on drugs is a big, big problem for us in Puerto Rico on many different levels.

The United States has seen a dramatic increase in violence against journalists since Donald Trump again took office. That rise is largely because whenever there is significant civil unrest, journalists cover it, which makes them more vulnerable to attacks. Trump has repeatedly lambasted the mainstream US media, baselessly accused it of lying about him and his policies and repeatedly insulted several journalists in public. While it is, of course, Trump behind the deportations, journalists’ treatment at protests cannot necessarily be connected to the president’s words, the press advocates say. “Trump does not have personal control over every police department,” Sugars said.

Jake Paul plans to take legal action against those accusing him of fixing his boxing match with Anthony Joshua. Many watched as Anthony Joshua knocked out Paul in the sixth round, proving his dominance in the ring. This prompted Jake Paul's legal team and Team MVP lawyers to go after those making such claims. "There's never once in Jake Paul's career been any talk of that sort of thing," she stated firmly. As serious doubts around professional boxing's authenticity continue to circulate among fans and insiders alike, both Jake Paul and his team stand firm against these accusations that they argue are unwarranted.

Greta Thunberg was arrested in London after participating in a protest supporting Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers. The Swedish climate activist held a placard reading “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. Later, Thunberg, 22, was also detained for displaying a placard in support of Palestine Action, which is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. The protest aimed to highlight the hunger strike of eight prisoners awaiting trial for alleged offenses connected to Palestine Action. The incident adds to ongoing tensions surrounding Palestine Action protests and government responses under counter-terrorism laws.

Ben Sasse announced on Tuesday that he has terminal stage-four pancreatic cancer. “Friends - This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die,” he wrote. The Senate vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict. In a remarkable farewell speech to the Senate before he retired, Sasse decried both the left and right extremes of the political spectrum. “As a Christian, the weeks running up to Christmas are a time to orient our hearts toward the hope of what’s to come.”More than 67,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually, with about 51,000 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Flood water covers part of the Somerset Levels in January 2013. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PAChristchurch in New Zealand isn’t the only place where spoof signs appear (‘Slightly haunted but manageable’: new signs cause confusion – and delight – in Christchurch, 22 December). After the floods of winter 2013-14, an addition to the “Welcome to Somerset” road sign on the A39 read “Twinned with Atlantis”. Stephen MossMark, Somerset• In a report after the death of Chris Rea (Obituary, 22 December), the BBC said: “His love of cars and driving was the inspiration behind many of his songs.” Not too surprising really, since his full name was Christopher Anton Rea. Chris BurgessMarple Bridge, Greater Manchester

A major atmospheric-river storm walloping the state with heavy rains, strong winds and major snow has landed in Southern California, bringing what forecasters say is likely to become the region’s worst Christmas storm in recent memory. Showers began across Southern California early Wednesday and expected to continue for several days. Thunderstorms will remain a possibility in Southern California through at least Thursday, which could bring locally heavy pockets of rain and high winds. Wednesday during the day: There could be a bit of a lull between bands of heavy rain. Dropping temperatures are forecast to bring several inches of snow to Southern California mountains.

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There are so many good fish and chip shops scattered across the county - and several have even been recognised nationally this year. French'sFrench's in Wells (Image: Denise Bradley)French's has been serving locals and tourists in Wells for more than 100 years. Fishers featured alongside its neighbour in The Times' ranking of the best fish and chip shops. Eric'sEric's (Image: Newsquest)Eric's Fish and Chips in Thornham was crowned the second-best fish and chip restaurant in the UK in the 2025 Fry Awards. The Fish InnThe Fish Inn (Image: NFFF)The Fish Inn in Bradwell won a Blue Ribbon at the 2025/2026 Good Food Awards.

✉ In November my parents went to Southampton to board their Mediterranean cruise, booked with Cunard on the Queen Anne to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. My dad had checked in online and had submitted the passport details, including the expiry date. Yet Cunard doesn’t ask for the passport start date and I find this staggering. The airport staff did nothing to help. BA told me it did warn passengers about possible passport control delays at check-in and with a message on boarding cards.