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News Daily

Sophie Zeldin-O'Neill

28 December 2023

Hello. I hope some of you, at least, have been enjoying a restful festive break. I'm delighted to be joining the News Daily team, and starting in the new year I'll be bringing you the big stories each morning, alongside Iain and Caroline. But, in a change to the usual schedule, in a week when many people switch off from the news, today and tomorrow I'll give you the best of what you might have missed from us over the past few days.

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pose, dressed as clowns

French and Saunders: How they proved that women are funny

When they started out in the late 1970s, the comedy scene was a world away from today. For a start, it was predominantly male. But, as the 1980s edged into view, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were among those who began to change establishment thinking. Here, they reflect on 40 years of being funny, share the secrets to their success - and French speaks about the 2008 sketch featuring US singer Anastacia which left her feeling "humiliated", and led to the duo calling time on their much-loved show.

Watch: Dawn French on why she felt humiliated by sketch

Read how they did it

World's tallest wooden wind turbine starts turning

Using wood for wind power is the future, according to Swedish start-up Modvion which has just built the world's tallest wooden turbine tower. My colleague Jonah Fisher was among the first journalists to be invited inside the structure, which is 150m (492ft) to the tip of the highest blade, made from 200 sustainably-farmed spruce trees, and is capable of powering about 400 homes.

Take a look inside the turbine

Francis, a man who has dementia, reads a newspaper in Landais Alzheimers

'We're truly happy' - The village where everyone has dementia

When it opened in 2020, Landais Alzheimer in south-west France, was only the second village of its kind, but it has since attracted global interest. It is home to several dozen chalets and 120 residents, all of whom have dementia. As well as a shop and restaurant, villagers can go to the theatre, for walks, and join in a host of activities. Researchers are examining how living in the village is impacting the course of the disease, and early results are intriguing.

Meet the residents

Hanif Kureishi: 'I've become a reluctant dictator'

Novelist Hanif Kureishi sustained life-changing injuries when he collapsed and landed on his head on Boxing Day last year. A year on from losing the use of his arms and legs, he describes the accident's profound impact on his life.

The bigger picture

A man sits on his horse and looks at the super moon known as the Blue Moon, from a mountain in Mogan on the south of the island of Gran Canaria, Spain

Image: Borja Suarez/Reuters

Around the world in 29 striking photos

As the horror of war raged in some parts of the globe over the past 12 months, devastating natural disasters hit others. News photographers were on frontlines and fault lines to document it all. But there was joy and wonder to be found too. We've picked out some of the most powerful images from across the continents to tell the story of the year in colour.

See the year in pictures

Essential read

I was wondering if you'd like one of my kidneys

Would you donate an organ to a stranger? Laura Maisey says it's the best thing she's done.

Read her inspiring story

Look ahead to 2024

FILMS

Best big screen blockbusters

From Mean Girls and Dune 2 to Paddington in Peru - look ahead to what's hitting the cinemas.

Dig into the popcorn

A electric Ford Explorer on a car production line

TECHNOLOGY

AI's rise and electric car buys

What next for the big trends in tech? We assess the challenges and innovations that lie ahead.

Step into the future

Test your memory

In the last editions of News Daily before Christmas, we gave you parts one and two of our big quiz of the year. We have since published part three, covering the news from July to September, and - to complete the set - part four, covering October to December.

Feedback

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