headlines
Sunday
20
December
2015
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Russia ready to increase military role, Putin saysVladimir Putin’s warning that Moscow will use ‘more military means’ in Syria conflict comes just hours after UN roadmap to peace was agreed
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Australian surfers' bodies given to consulate – reportThe bodies of two Australian men found in Mexico after they went missing on a surfing holiday have been handed over for repatriation, reports say -
JJ Abrams reveals he initially turned down latest filmDirector says he told Lucasfilm president he would not direct Star Wars reboot because he feared becoming known as ‘the sequels guy’ -
highlights
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How to avoid a dry turkeyThis failsafe recipe (and a thrifty trio of ideas for leftovers) comes from the Christmas cookery writer Josceline Dimbleby
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How scientists can help late developers become sporting superstarsGrouping young players according to physical maturity rather than age should allow late bloomers to shine
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An often calamitous 12 months was marked by ‘wars’ on everything, a notorious knighthood and $5,000 helicopter ride – and, finally, a switch in leadershipThe year in politics: after a steady drumbeat of fear, 2015 ends on hopeful note
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Australia's 2015 – an enormous lower intestine of a yearIt was the year of knights and dames, the grocery code of conduct, eating onions and Returnbull. Good on us for having a go
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The level of tough-guy militarism that Republican candidates spew looks like a race to see who would start more wars harder and quickerRepublicans are so bullish on war that 30% would bomb a fictional country
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Malcolm Turnbull tells Shinzo Abe he's disappointed about whaling resumptionAustralian prime minister makes 15-hour visit to Japan to promote trade and education links, but says he also expressed concerns about whaling
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Turnbull slaps down MPs' criticism of Asio chiefThe prime minister says Duncan Lewis’s advice to two Coalition MPs to moderate their language on radical Islam ‘should be heeded’
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Off-duty Baltimore officer kills man who tried to rob him with toy gunPolice officer said he opened fire with his service weapon after man approached him, produced a gun and in robbery attempt
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US bomber angers Beijing with Spratly islands flypastUS Navy says its B-52 plane had no intention of flying so close to the Chinese-claimed Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea
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charity appeal 2015
in depth
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Conservative Canada irked by the magnetism of TrudeauTrudeau’s charisma and popularity on social media has drawn unprecedented global interest in Canadian politics but at home, the traditionalists are unamused
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Coober Pedy: a gem of a place where freedom is allThe opal mining town of Coober Pedy isn’t the first place you’d think of visiting in South Australia, but with its endless desert views and sense of freedom it’s the perfect antidote to modern-day life for DBC Pierre
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‘No one expects people with disabilities to have a family’Cerebral palsy didn’t rob Aideen Blackborough of the desire to become a mother – but she faced other obstacles, from prejudice to logistics and, not least, her own fears
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The greatest gift of Christmas? A social media truceIt’s time for the Twitterati and Instagramati to take a rest, even if a mother does buy too many presents for her family
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The year Dad and I forgot it was ChristmasAfter her mother died in a car crash, Emily Eades thought life could never be normal again. And Christmas would be the biggest hurdle of all
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No 1 – To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick LamarThe rapper’s knotty and apparently uncommercial album found a mass audience by sounding like 2015 often felt: bleak, desperate and broiling with anger
pictures & video
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The week in wildlifeGiant humpback whales, rare African wild elephants and Siberian ibexes are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world
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Does Santa Claus believe in climate change?What does Santa Claus think of climate change? Are the elves and reindeer feeling the effects at the North Pole? We took to the streets during SantaCon NYC to find out.
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Storm Troopers and R2D2 provide White House briefing escortThe Star Wars characters were at the White House as part of a private screening of The Force Awakens for members of Gold Star families, an organization of family members who lost relatives in military combat
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Mother Teresa to be made saintMother Teresa, the Nobel laureate known for dedicating her life to helping the poor, will be made a saint of the Roman Catholic church, the Vatican announced on Friday
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Amen to these homes near cathedralsFrom Lincoln to Salisbury, these properties are in cities known for their imposing cathedrals
people
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‘When I’m really tuned in I can mind-surf’The champion surfer on not stressing about sharks, owning several homes, and his fear of drowning
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Our crush of the weekKrysten Ritter plays the super-strong title character, a bracing mix of abrasive, irritable, funny and disappointed
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How I get ready for a big nightI am super indecisive so I go through my entire wardrobe before figuring out what I’m going to wear
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My most embarrassing moment? It involved the passing of gas in church‘This guy at a party told me, very loudly, that I had written only one book; the rest are screenplays. I am slow to anger, but that really made me mad’
the big picture
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Best pictures from the last seven daysThe Geminid meteor shower, Tim Peake’s journey to the International Space Station, Europe’s refugee crisis, Manchester United’s poor form – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week
Bushfires Victoria remains on alert with gusty winds and lightning forecast
Firefighters in Victoria and South Australia brace for 100km/h winds and more high temperatures after difficult conditions on Saturday