From culture to politics, the cost of living crisis, lifestyle, the environment and science – the next 12 months will bring new stars, trends and challenges. Our experts point the way Published: 12:00 PM ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaKSZm7KiusOsq7KklWTApr7InqpoamBngG55x6KeoaSZnLW1v4yapZ1lmKTBtLzOrao%3D

US newsObituaryAC ReedThe saxophonist, singer and songwriter AC Reed, who has died aged 77, made a special niche for himself as a bluesman feeling browned off. In his song I Am Fed Up With This Music, on the album Take These Blues And Shove 'Em!, he castigated himself for his poor career choice: "I want a job where I can get paid every week/ I'm playin' this music and I just can't hardly eat/ Money-hungry peoples and musicians stabbin' me in the back/ I was better off down south with a cotton sack.

IndiaAditya-L1: India’s solar mission reaches sun’s orbitAfter four-month journey, Aditya-L1 will measure and observe sun’s outermost layers India’s solar observation mission has entered the sun’s orbit after a four-month journey, the latest success for the space exploration ambitions of the world’s most populous country. The Aditya-L1 mission was launched in September and is carrying an array of instruments to measure and observe the sun’s outermost layers. India’s science and technology minister, Jitendra Singh, said on social media that the probe had reached its final orbit “to discover the mysteries of sun-Earth connection”.

Wellness or hellness?Health & wellbeingThe instructions – literally – make no sense whatsoever. And it made my foot dirtier, more fetid and more slimy than it has ever been I’m not even convinced the maker thinks anyone will buy this product, it is so bizarrely packaged. Printed right on the front of this box of foot patches is a long, unintentionally hilarious, description of the target market. “Middle and aged people.

The ObserverCycling This article is more than 2 years oldGeraint Thomas denied by freak crash at stage finish in Tour de RomandieThis article is more than 2 years oldBritish rider went down metres from finish line in ThyonMichael Woods takes win on queen stage in bad weatherA crash inside the final 50 metres cost Geraint Thomas the yellow jersey on a dramatic penultimate stage of the Tour de Romandie. Thomas was battling Michael Woods for victory as sleet fell at the summit finish in Thyon, but the Ineos Grenadiers rider slipped as he climbed out of the saddle for a final dig for the line.