38-year-old boxer hangs up gloves at peak of career
Last fight was domination of Canelo Álvarez in September
18 world titles in five weight classes won over three decades
Undefeated world super middleweight champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing on Tuesday, hanging up his gloves three months after a career-defining victory over Canelo Álvarez.
The 38-year-old from Nebraska, who dominated Mexican legend Álvarez in Las Vegas in September to claim the undisputed super middleweight crown, announced his decision in a video posted on social media.
Move comes amid escalating campaign against Maduro as Venezuelan government condemns ‘grotesque threat’
Donald Trump has ordered “a total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, ramping up pressure on the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.
The move comes amid an escalating campaign by the Trump administration against Maduro that has included a ramped-up military presence in the region and more than two dozen military strikes on vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, which have killed dozens of people.
Giuffre’s family calls the success of her posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl, ‘bittersweet’ after her death in April
A posthumous memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s best-known accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has sold 1m copies worldwide in just the two months after its release.
Publisher Alfred A Knopf announced on Tuesday that more than half the sales for Nobody’s Girl came out of North America; in the US, the book is now in its 10th printing after an initial run of 70,000 copies. Giuffre’s book, co-written by author-journalist Amy Wallace, was published in early October.
Border conflict has roots in colonial maps and long-standing ‘sibling rivalry’
Thailand and Cambodia have been locked in a border dispute for more than a century, which exploded again in the summer of 2025. Peace efforts have had mixed results and fighting continues.
A historical dispute over lines drawn on colonial maps is often used as a pretext for simmering nationalism. The two countries have had what one historian called a “sibling rivalry” for decades, fanned by competing claims to the region’s rich cultural heritage, including ancient temples in disputed areas.
Development is latest in case in which carmaker accused of falsely marketing and overstating self-driving capabilities
A California regulator has put on hold an order to suspend Tesla sales in the state, the latest development in a case in which it accused the electric vehicle maker of falsely marketing and overstating self-driving capabilities.
The decision grants a reprieve to Tesla in a case that could force it to halt sales in its biggest US market.
Ruapehu is emblematic of question facing New Zealand: how to prevent rural regions – and the country at large - from hollowing out
For generations, two centres of gravity in New Zealand’s central Ruapehu region had enough pull to entice people to the area and keep them there: the mountains and the mills.
Mount Ruapehu, the country’s largest active volcano, lured people to its snowy slopes for work and play, while the local mills – run by the region’s largest employer, Winstone Pulp International – kept generations of families in employment.
German Chancellor says this remains a far-off prospect; Zelenskyy says negotiations on peace deal could soon be finalised. What we know on day 1,393
Under post-ceasefire guarantees provided by the United States and Europe to Ukraine, peacekeepers could in certain circumstances repel Russian forces, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF public television in an interview, adding that this remained a far-off prospect. Pressed by interviewers for details on the possible security guarantees floated by the United States in Monday’s Berlin talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz said the guarantors would need to repel Russian forces should there be a violation of any ceasefire terms.
“We would secure a demilitarized zone between the warring parties and, to be very specific, we would also act against corresponding Russian incursions and attacks.We’re not there yet,” he said. “The fact that the Americans have made such a commitment – to protect Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as if it were Nato territory – I think that’s a remarkable new position for the United States of America,” Merz said.
Zelenskyy has said proposals negotiated with US officials on a peace deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine could be soon finalised, after which American envoys will present them to the Kremlin. After two days of talks in Berlin, US officials said on Monday they had resolved “90%” of the problematic issues between Russia and Ukraine, but despite the positive spin it is not clear that an end to the war is any closer, particularly as the Russian side is absent from the current talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson indicated that the Kremlin opposes European participation in talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine based on a US plan. “The participation of the Europeans, in terms of acceptability, does not bode well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Peskov also said that the Kremlin had not yet been informed of the results of the latest talks in Berlin on Monday between Zelenskyy and European leaders.
The UN rights chief voiced alarm Wednesday over diminishing freedoms in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, saying restrictions were tightening on freedom of movement, expression and religion. Volker Turk painted a grim picture of events in a presentation to the UN Human Rights Council, the United Nations’ top rights body.
Russian authorities on Tuesday named German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle as an “undesirable organization,” effectively outlawing its operation in the country. Under Russian law, involvement with an “undesirable organization,” including sharing its content, is a criminal offence. In a statement, Deutsche Welle director general Barbara Massing called the designation Russia’s latest attempt to silence independent media.
The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is now receiving electricity through only one of two external power lines, its Russian management said on Tuesday. The other line was disconnected due to military activity, the management said, adding that radiation levels remain normal. Repair work will begin as soon as possible.
South Africa’s government is in talks with Russia to bring home 17 South African men fighting for Russia in Ukraine, after the men were allegedly tricked on to the frontlines of the war.
Quarterly payments of $200 to be offered via stablecoin or traditional currency in a scheme designed to ease cost of living pressures in the Pacific nation
The Marshall Islands has introduced a national universal basic income (UBI) scheme that offers payments via cryptocurrency, alongside more traditional methods, which experts say is the first scheme of its kind in the world.
Under the program, every resident citizen of the Marshall Islands will receive quarterly payments of about US$200 as part of a government effort to ease cost of living pressures. The first instalments were paid in late November and recipients can choose whether the money is paid into a bank account, by cheque, or delivered as cryptocurrency on the blockchain through a government-backed digital wallet.
“Morning Daniel, (it’s approaching 7am in Western Australia),” opens Karris Evans. “Fox Cricket noted an hour ago that Smith got a head knock in training this morning, so possible concussion has ruled him out.”
The Hay festival president is asking readers for book recommendations that will ‘entice the most reluctant reader’ to help combat the decline in leisure reading
Hay festival president Stephen Fry is backing the organisation’s new campaign to collect recommendations for the most pleasurable books to entice new readers, in a bid to combat falling literacy rates in the UK.
The Pleasure List campaign, run in partnership with the government’s National Year of Reading 2026, will share the “most un-put-downable” reads in the hopes of helping reverse the downward trend of adults reading for pleasure.
Nick Reiner, 32, charged after Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner found dead at Los Angeles home on Sunday
Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, the acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner and the photographer Michele Singer Reiner, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old, who is being held without bail, has been in custody since Sunday evening, hours after his sister reportedly discovered the couple’s bodies in their Los Angeles home. Police said on Sunday the couple had suffered fatal stab wounds.
Hundreds of swimmers at Bondi have formed human circles – in the beach and in the ocean – in honour of the victims of the attack on a Jewish community event in which 15 people died.
The world-famous beach is known for its early morning swimmers and surfers but many had not returned to the water since Sunday’s horrific events
The two African nations join Haiti and Iran on ban list
Fans may face restrictions when entering US
A proclamation signed by President Trump widened his administration’s ongoing travel restrictions on Tuesday to include 2026 World Cup participants Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
The two African nations were added to the travel ban list with what the White House statement said were “partial restrictions and entry limitations,” currently the least restrictive category among the full group of nations covered, which now numbers 18 after Tuesday’s announcement. The sweeping travel ban already includes two countries who will participate in the World Cup: Haiti and Iran, both of whom are subject to the most stringent restrictions.
Roberts, who murdered three police officers in Shepherd’s Bush and served 48 years in prison, was released in 2014
Harry Roberts, the triple police killer whose 1966 murders shocked Britain and triggered one of the country’s largest manhunts, has reportedly died aged 89.
Roberts died in hospital last Saturday after a short illness, the Sun reported. He had been living in sheltered accommodation in Peterborough after his release on licence in 2014, after serving 48 years in prison for the killings.
More than half a million people now consume products as experts link rise to ‘aggressive’ marketing and advertising
More than 500,000 people in Great Britain now use nicotine pouches, with the significant rise in uptake driven by members of gen Z, research has revealed.
Nicotine pouches are placed between the lip and gum to slowly release nicotine and come in a wide variety of different flavours. Health experts say the products, which are banned in Germany and the Netherlands, should not be used by anyone who does not already smoke.
Keir Starmer’s office claims UK still in ‘active conversations’ about deal for tech industries in both countries to cooperate
Downing Street insists the $40bn Tech Prosperity Deal between the US and UK that is on hold is not permanently stalled. The BBC reported on Tuesday evening that the prime minister’s office claimed that the UK remains in “active conversations with US counterparts at all levels of government” about the wide-ranging deal for the technology industries in both countries to cooperate.
The agreement, previously billed as historic, was paused after the US accused the UK of failing to lower trade barriers, including a digital services tax on US tech companies and food safety rules that limit the export of some agricultural products. The New York Times first reported British confirmation that negotiations had stalled.
Events need ‘solid financial model’, says Sebastian Coe
The Michael Johnson-led Grand Slam Track has been warned by World Athletics that it may not be permitted to return in 2026 even if it pays off its huge debts.
Court documents released on Monday showed that the league, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, still owes some of the biggest names in track and field hundreds of thousands of dollars and creditors between $10m and $50m (£7.5m and £37.3m).
The alleged gunman shot dead by police during Sunday’s attack on Australia’s Bondi beach was originally from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad and his family there seemed unaware of his alleged “radical mindset”, Indian police said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the second alleged gunman, who was hospitalised after also being shot by police, awoke from a coma and may be charged as early as Wednesday.
As Facundo Buonanotte saddled up beside Alejandro Garnacho on the advertising hoardings in front of the pocket of away supporters, after the latter opened the scoring at a jam-packed Cardiff City Stadium, for a moment or two everything seemed just fine in the often chaotic and complex world of Chelsea. The pair exhibited cheesy smiles as João Pedro played photographer, pretending to capture their celebration.
Then, with 15 minutes remaining, the hosts equalised through David Turnbull’s brilliant diving header, detonating the kind of noise not heard in these parts for a long time, and another awkward 48 hours were on the cards for Enzo Maresca.
US skier finished 1.55 seconds ahead of second place
Shiffrin has won the opening four slaloms of the season
Mikaela Shiffrin isn’t just winning every slalom of the Olympic season. She’s dominating each race and winning by large margins, too.
The American skiing standout claimed a record-extending 105th World Cup victory after several of her top challengers went out during the opening run of a night race Tuesday.
Mark Chavez given eight months of home confinement and three years of supervised release after star’s overdose death
A doctor who pleaded guilty in a scheme to supply ketamine to the actor Matthew Perry before his overdose death has been sentenced to eight months of home confinement.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett handed down the sentence that included three years of supervised release to 55-year-old Dr Mark Chavez in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles.
Corporation will argue it did not have rights to air film in US and it did not cause serious reputational harm
The BBC is preparing to argue Donald Trump’s $10bn court case against it should be dismissed, arguing it has no case to answer over the US president’s claims he was defamed by an episode of Panorama.
The development comes after Trump filed a 33-page complaint to a Florida court on Monday, accusing the broadcaster of “a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory and malicious depiction” of the president in the documentary.
As we continue the countdown to ecstasy, Peter Oh gets in touch: “ It doesn’t get any bluer than this fixture, does it? The good thing is that no matter what happens tonight, it’s sure to be a blue Christmas for both sets of fans.”
Joe Pearson gets in touch: “In honor of the hosts, I’ve got Spotify picking Super Furry Animals cuts for me. That will certainly confuse my Wrapped next year.”
The latest edition of the school’s Hollywood Diversity report, published Tuesday, found that of the top 250 most-viewed current and library scripted series in 2024, more than 91.7% were created by a white person, with white men accounting for 79% of all show creators – both increases from last year. Diversity also slipped for performers, with white actors cast in 80% of all roles.
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