Author: The Guardian

While many student flats are infested with unwanted mice, 20 years ago I voluntarily filled mine with rats. I began with two from a pet shop, but ended up taking on several more rescues, buying an enormous cage so they could climb and dig and play. Lots of people don’t like rats, but they are wonderful animals and a great alternative if you don’t have time or space for a dog. Rats are clever, clean and full of personality and affection. But none of mine had as much personality as Letty, the rat I found in a bin.She had clearly…

Supporters of both teams experienced twists and turns and nail-biting situations along the way, but in the end there were no miracles for those willing to support England. India achieved a target of 192 runs on Day 4 in Ranchi to win the fourth Test by 5 wickets and claim an undisputed 3-1 with one match remaining Leads win series.Two days into the match, thoughts of a potential decider in the Himalayan region of Dharamshala have begun to percolate, with England appearing to be in control of their own destiny. Their hosts fell behind by 134 runs in the first…

Graham McGregor-Smith couldn’t be happier. At 61, he has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream – recording an album. The cover of Road to Anywhere features a photograph of Highway 50 in the US state of Nevada taken by McGregor-Smith when he cycled from San Francisco to New York for charity in 2017. He did everything else himself, too, from writing and performing the songs to the recording and artwork, albeit with some help along the way. In March, he will play at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London to celebrate the release; he has a second gig in June.McGregor-Smith,…

Support the Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. We want to keep our journalism open and accessible to everyone. But increasingly we need readers to fund our work. Support the Guardian Source link

With the Conservative party lagging 20 points behind in the polls, enduring crushing byelection defeats and weekly controversies, it’s a difficult time to be a government minister.One figure who appears to glide effortlessly above the mire though is David Cameron, who was unexpectedly brought back to the political frontline in November as foreign secretary. He marked 100 days in office last week and has by all accounts loved every minute of it.The Foreign Office appears to love him back. Despite his considerable political baggage, the prevailing view in the department is that having Cameron at the helm has been a…

President Joe Biden has joked to aides that the key to a long and lasting marriage is “good sex,” according to a new book about the nation’s first ladies, that casts a spotlight on his 47-year romance with Jill Biden.“American Woman – The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden,” was authored by New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers and comes out this week.The part about sex takes up only a few paragraphs in the 276-page book but has already generated headlines.Rogers writes that Biden opted against running for president in 2004, a…

The rugby world will be in an unfamiliar position, hoping that England will win in a fortnight. Scotland in particular hopes so. Ireland are six points clear after three games, meaning a bonus-point win at Twickenham in round four would see them claim the title even before a trip to Scotland in round five. Just one win would be enough to guarantee that.”It’s all set up well,” said Andy Farrell, “because we’ve earned the right to get to this point. But going to Twickenham, everyone knows what a huge undertaking it is. We Definitely looking forward to that after a…

Cristiano Ronaldo faced a flurry of criticism after appearing to make an obscene gesture at the end of Al-Nassr’s 3-2 win over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday.The Portugal forward opened the scoring with a 21st-minute penalty but Al-Nassr needed a late goal from Talisca, who struck twice, to settle the game with four minutes left. After the final whistle, social media videos captured Ronaldo cupping his ear before repeatedly pumping his hand forward in front of his pelvic area. The action appeared to be directed at Al-Shabab supporters.In the background, chants of “Messi” could be heard, referencing…

A man was in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., authorities said Sunday.The Metropolitan Police Department said they responded to the incident on International Drive around 1 p.m. to assist the Secret Service. Fire and Emergency Services said the man suffered severe burns.”An adult male was transported by DC Fire Department and EMS [Emergency Medical Services] They were taken to a local hospital and are listed in critical condition, the police department said. Say on Twitter/X.According to the Washington Post, multiple officials said a video posted online showed a uniformed man shouting…

A woman’s £650,000 claim for injuries allegedly suffered during a car crash has been thrown out of court in Ireland after she was pictured winning a Christmas tree-throwing competition.Kamila Grabska, 36, sued an insurance company and said injuries to her back and neck meant she was unable to work for more than five years or play with her children. She claimed she was left with the “disabling” condition after a car she was travelling in was hit from behind in an accident in 2017.However, the woman’s claim was thrown out by a high court judge in Limerick after a photograph…