This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/02/news-missed-over-christmas-break-work-holidays
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Back at work? Here's the news you missed over the Christmas break | Back at work? Here's the news you missed over the Christmas break |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Were your new Christmas presents too diverting to read the news? Was your TV screen commandeered for family films? If you're just emerging from your Christmas cocoon, here's a guide to all the news stories you might have missed while you were trying to come up with recipes for leftover Stilton. | Were your new Christmas presents too diverting to read the news? Was your TV screen commandeered for family films? If you're just emerging from your Christmas cocoon, here's a guide to all the news stories you might have missed while you were trying to come up with recipes for leftover Stilton. |
| In the UK | In the UK |
| • As you may have noticed, there was a lot of weather. First, storms left five people dead and caused travel chaos. Then, power cuts and flooding ruined Christmas for many across the south of the country. After a couple of days' respite, the rains returned, causing further chaos and prompting a meeting of the Cobra emergencies committee. | • As you may have noticed, there was a lot of weather. First, storms left five people dead and caused travel chaos. Then, power cuts and flooding ruined Christmas for many across the south of the country. After a couple of days' respite, the rains returned, causing further chaos and prompting a meeting of the Cobra emergencies committee. |
| • The Northern Irish peace process talks brokered by Richard Haass collapsed without reaching an agreement | • The Northern Irish peace process talks brokered by Richard Haass collapsed without reaching an agreement |
| • As EU labour restrictions on workers from Romania and Bulgaria were lifted, the rightwing press's predictions of a stampede of eastern Europeans coming to claim benefits failed to materialise. | • As EU labour restrictions on workers from Romania and Bulgaria were lifted, the rightwing press's predictions of a stampede of eastern Europeans coming to claim benefits failed to materialise. |
| • Labour's former Europe minister Denis MacShane was sentenced to six months in prison for making bogus expense claims | • Labour's former Europe minister Denis MacShane was sentenced to six months in prison for making bogus expense claims |
| • Ukip leader Nigel Farage shocked many within his own party by calling for the UK to welcome Syrian refugees | • Ukip leader Nigel Farage shocked many within his own party by calling for the UK to welcome Syrian refugees |
| Across Europe | Across Europe |
| • In Volgograd, in southern Russia, many people were killed by two bombs set off on consecutive days, one in a train station and the other on a trolleybus | • In Volgograd, in southern Russia, many people were killed by two bombs set off on consecutive days, one in a train station and the other on a trolleybus |
| • Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher sustained a head injury while skiing in Méribel. After undergoing two operations, he is still in a critical but stable state | • Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher sustained a head injury while skiing in Méribel. After undergoing two operations, he is still in a critical but stable state |
| • In his latest attempt to appear magnanimous after releasing Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russian president Vladimir Putin released both of the members of Pussy Riot who were still imprisoned and let members of the Arctic 30 return home | • In his latest attempt to appear magnanimous after releasing Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russian president Vladimir Putin released both of the members of Pussy Riot who were still imprisoned and let members of the Arctic 30 return home |
| Further afield | Further afield |
| • Days after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden announced that his mission had been accomplished and delivered Channel 4's alternative Christmas message, a US federal judge declared that the agency's mass collection of phone data does not violate the constitution. Two days after that, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on a top-secret hacking unit that inserts backdoor spying devices into computer systems. Apple has insisted it did not work with the NSA to create a way to hack into iPhones | • Days after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden announced that his mission had been accomplished and delivered Channel 4's alternative Christmas message, a US federal judge declared that the agency's mass collection of phone data does not violate the constitution. Two days after that, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on a top-secret hacking unit that inserts backdoor spying devices into computer systems. Apple has insisted it did not work with the NSA to create a way to hack into iPhones |
| • After South Sudan fell into a civil war which displaced over 120,000 people, African leaders brokered a ceasefire. Fighting has continued, however, as the talks have begun | • After South Sudan fell into a civil war which displaced over 120,000 people, African leaders brokered a ceasefire. Fighting has continued, however, as the talks have begun |
| Even further afield: Antarctica | Even further afield: Antarctica |
| • After achieving their goal of reaching explorer Douglas Mawson's huts, our intrepid explorers became stuck in sea ice as they tried to return. After several failed rescue attempts, eventually a Chinese helicopter came to their rescue. | • After achieving their goal of reaching explorer Douglas Mawson's huts, our intrepid explorers became stuck in sea ice as they tried to return. After several failed rescue attempts, eventually a Chinese helicopter came to their rescue. |
| • Meanwhile, a 19-year-old set the record for the fastest journey from the Antarctic coast to the south pole | • Meanwhile, a 19-year-old set the record for the fastest journey from the Antarctic coast to the south pole |
| Lighter news | Lighter news |
| • A volcanic eruption formed a new Japanese island in the shape of cartoon dog Snoopy | • A volcanic eruption formed a new Japanese island in the shape of cartoon dog Snoopy |
| • Penelope Keith, Angela Lansbury, Katherine Jenkins and Antony Gormley were the star names in this year's New Year honours list, as women recognised outnumbered men for the first time. You can see the (very long) list here, or look at these charts for an overview | • Penelope Keith, Angela Lansbury, Katherine Jenkins and Antony Gormley were the star names in this year's New Year honours list, as women recognised outnumbered men for the first time. You can see the (very long) list here, or look at these charts for an overview |
| • Golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki announced their engagement after the Northern Irishman proposed in Sydney | • Golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki announced their engagement after the Northern Irishman proposed in Sydney |
| • Hawaiian woman Janice "Lokelani" Keihanaikukauakahihulihe'ekahaunaele won a campaign to persuade officials to extend the space available for names on the US state's driving licences | • Hawaiian woman Janice "Lokelani" Keihanaikukauakahihulihe'ekahaunaele won a campaign to persuade officials to extend the space available for names on the US state's driving licences |
| • Prince Philip was named among the best-dressed men of the year, according to GQ. Nick Grimshaw topped the list, while Ozwald Boateng was named worst-dressed. | • Prince Philip was named among the best-dressed men of the year, according to GQ. Nick Grimshaw topped the list, while Ozwald Boateng was named worst-dressed. |
| • A Welsh village's plans to change its name from Varteg to Y Farteg has been abandoned after opposition from locals who feared it would make them the butt of jokes | • A Welsh village's plans to change its name from Varteg to Y Farteg has been abandoned after opposition from locals who feared it would make them the butt of jokes |
| Final bows | Final bows |
| • Mikhail Kalashnikov, creator of the AK-47, died at the age of 94 | • Mikhail Kalashnikov, creator of the AK-47, died at the age of 94 |
| • Comedian John Fortune, best known for his work with Rory Bremner and John Bird, died at 74. We remembered five of his greatest sketches | • Comedian John Fortune, best known for his work with Rory Bremner and John Bird, died at 74. We remembered five of his greatest sketches |
| • Addison Cresswell, the top agent in British comedy, died aged 53 | • Addison Cresswell, the top agent in British comedy, died aged 53 |
| • Wojciech Kilar, who composed the scores for The Pianist and Bram Stoker's Dracula, died at 81 | • Wojciech Kilar, who composed the scores for The Pianist and Bram Stoker's Dracula, died at 81 |
| In the world of entertainment | In the world of entertainment |
| • Justin Bieber made a lot of Christmas wishes come true when he announced his retirement on Christmas Eve | • Justin Bieber made a lot of Christmas wishes come true when he announced his retirement on Christmas Eve |
| • Shia LaBeouf apologised - again - for plagiarising the work of comic book artist Daniel Clowes for a short film. This time, he hired a skywriter to leave a message in the sky over Los Angeles | • Shia LaBeouf apologised - again - for plagiarising the work of comic book artist Daniel Clowes for a short film. This time, he hired a skywriter to leave a message in the sky over Los Angeles |
| • Mrs Brown's Boys won the Christmas TV ratings battle despite poor reviews, followed by the eagerly-awaited debut of Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who | • Mrs Brown's Boys won the Christmas TV ratings battle despite poor reviews, followed by the eagerly-awaited debut of Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who |
| • Nasa criticised Beyoncé over her use of a sound sample from the Challenger shuttle disaster on her new single XO, calling it 'inappropriate in the extreme' | • Nasa criticised Beyoncé over her use of a sound sample from the Challenger shuttle disaster on her new single XO, calling it 'inappropriate in the extreme' |
| The biggest sport stories | The biggest sport stories |
| • Australia won the Boxing Day Ashes Test to lead the series 4-0 and leave England embarrassed and with their pride bruised. But not as bruised, perhaps, as broadcaster Piers Morgan, who agreed to face an over from Brett Lee after criticising the England team's performance. Morgan later revealed he had fractured a rib | • Australia won the Boxing Day Ashes Test to lead the series 4-0 and leave England embarrassed and with their pride bruised. But not as bruised, perhaps, as broadcaster Piers Morgan, who agreed to face an over from Brett Lee after criticising the England team's performance. Morgan later revealed he had fractured a rib |
| • Managerial musical chairs in the Premier League as Tim Sherwood became the new Spurs manager, replacing André Villas-Boas, and then Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan sacked manager Malky Mackay, who has been replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | |
| • Jacques Kallis, arguably the greatest South African ever to play cricket, signed off his remarkable career with a century in his final Test against India | • Jacques Kallis, arguably the greatest South African ever to play cricket, signed off his remarkable career with a century in his final Test against India |
| • West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka celebrated scoring against West Ham by making a gesture known as the quenelle in tribute to an anti-Zionist friend, French comedian Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala. Anelka faces a likely five-game ban for the action. He has since agreed not to make the gesture again | • West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka celebrated scoring against West Ham by making a gesture known as the quenelle in tribute to an anti-Zionist friend, French comedian Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala. Anelka faces a likely five-game ban for the action. He has since agreed not to make the gesture again |
| • We rounded up a panel of experts and asked them to work out who the best footballer in the world is. You can probably guess who they picked | • We rounded up a panel of experts and asked them to work out who the best footballer in the world is. You can probably guess who they picked |
| The best of the best-of-2013 roundups | The best of the best-of-2013 roundups |
| • Our critics decided that the best film of the year was The Act of Killing. Kanye West's Yeezus took the best album title, and The Returned was picked as the best TV show | • Our critics decided that the best film of the year was The Act of Killing. Kanye West's Yeezus took the best album title, and The Returned was picked as the best TV show |
| • You, the readers, voted for Edward Snowden as your person of the year. The story in which he revealed himself as the NSA whistleblower was also our most-read story of the year | • You, the readers, voted for Edward Snowden as your person of the year. The story in which he revealed himself as the NSA whistleblower was also our most-read story of the year |
| • The best portraits taken by Guardian photographers | • The best portraits taken by Guardian photographers |
| • The key pop cultural trends of the year | • The key pop cultural trends of the year |
| • Think you're on top of all of that? Why not test yourself on this quiz? | • Think you're on top of all of that? Why not test yourself on this quiz? |
| What next? | What next? |
| • Our foreign correspondents had a go at predicting the events of 2014. How accurate will they prove? Only time will tell | • Our foreign correspondents had a go at predicting the events of 2014. How accurate will they prove? Only time will tell |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |