Region

Global

The latest published reporting from this region.

Sports

‘It’s in our blood’: Lebanon, Ukraine and Syria rugby league teams fly the flag despite horrors of war at home

Players from war-torn countries say they are determined to ‘give people hope’, ‘put the country on the map’ and ‘wear the badge with honour’ By No Helmets Required There are many reasons for a country to not play rugby league. Being at war does not seem to be one of them. Last Sunday, a few miles apart in Sydney, Syria and Lebanon played international fixtures on contrasting stages. Syria hosted a series of friendlies at the humble home of Bankstown Bulls, before Lebanon played an all-time World Cup classic against France in a frenzied CommBank Stadium. A few days earlier, Ukraine had played a

The Guardian
Read more
Sports

Whirlwhind year from Wolverhampton to Hong Kong for Leger heroine Osborne

Classic success resulted in contract to ride for outstanding female jockey at high-profile meeting Saffie Osborne’s year began with a ride on a 150-1 chance in a race worth £7,000 at Wolverhampton on 6 January, when she trailed in last of the seven runners. Its final chapter will open on Sunday in the decidedly glitzier surroundings of Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong, where Osborne has 10 rides on an 11-race card, and the 10 months in between have been transformational for the 24-year-old. A first top-10 finish in the Flat jockeys’ championship was the reward for Osborne’s consistency througho

The Guardian
Read more
International

Kenyan doomsday sect leader jailed for 200 years for murder of 190 children

Paul Mackenzie convicted over deaths of children and one adult after followers were ordered to starve themselves and their families The leader of a Kenyan doomsday sect has been sentenced to 200 years in prison for the murders of 190 children and one adult in one of the world’s worst cult disasters in recent history. The sentence, comprising 100 years for murder by starvation and 100 years by direct homicide, came two weeks after the court in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa found the cult leader guilty of the crimes. Continue reading...

The Guardian
Read more
Military

The 36 best Christmas gifts in the UK for every kind of teenager – chosen by teens

From Polaroid cameras to skincare, loungewear to gaming accessories, here are the presents teenage boys and girls told us they rate for 2026 • Homemade Christmas gifts anyone can make Because there is no doubt your teen thinks they know better than you, we took them at their word and asked what they think makes the perfect gift for Christmas (or other religious festival they celebrate). To ensure the selection was truly tried and tested, we asked them only about presents they have already received, love and use constantly. We also made sure to ask a broad range of teens – from book lovers to t

The Guardian
Read more