Subterranean termite colony found under two bungalows in 1994 is declared terminated after ‘amazing cooperation’ of homeownersIt was in 1994 that a bungalow owner in Devon called pest control to report that a mysterious “white ant” had chomped through …
No new Covid restrictions before Christmas, Boris Johnson confirms
Prime minister warns rapid spread of Omicron variant could mean curbs are imposed after 25 DecemberCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters will not introduce any new Covid restrictions before Christmas, Boris Johnson has c…
Pay attention for a message from the prime minister: careless cheese and wine costs lives | Marina Hyde
As we await the known unknowns of Omicron, No 10 does more to undermine public trust than all the conspiracy theorists on YouTubeFor the rapidly unravelling winter caretaker of Downing Street, it has been another paranoia-inducing few days. What with l…
Barrister who sued after colleague asked him to stop farting loses case
Lawyer said flatulence was caused by heart medication and argued the request violated his dignityA senior barrister who sued the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after a colleague asked him to stop breaking wind in the room they worked in together has l…
Pinch of Nom narrowly beats Richard Osman to top Christmas book chart
The food bloggers’ fourth book Comfort Food outsold Osman’s second cosy crime novel by just over 1,000 copiesThe fourth Pinch of Nom cookbook, a collection of slimming comfort food recipes, has narrowly pipped Richard Osman to the top of the book cha…
Immensa lab: month delay before incorrect Covid tests stopped
Court papers reveal how long watchdog knew of potential problems at Wolverhampton siteCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s health watchdog knew about anomalous tests at a private laboratory that gave at least 43,…
UK government borrowing surges again as Covid cases soar
Figure of £17.4bn for November is down on last year but more than forecast by economistsThe UK government borrowed £17.4bn in November, outstripping economists’ predictions and suggesting debt could far overshoot officials’ forecasts if the Omicron cor…
Winter solstice 2021 celebrations – in pictures
Revellers in England and Ireland mark the shortest day of the year and official first day of winter Continue reading…
Why are women ‘failing’ to reproduce? Maybe it’s time to ask them | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Economic panic about the birthrate is drowning out the voices of those who matter most in this debateThe birthrate is declining across the west. It has been doing so for some time, but the recent drop appears to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. I…
Freezing fog and winter solstice: Tuesday’s best photos
The Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world Continue reading…