Man dies in monsoonal floods in far north Queensland as graziers wait to assess stock losses 31. December 2025 (09:53) SES officer praised by police after entering crocodile-filled waters to retrieve body of man from submerged carGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice have praised the courageous efforts of an officer who entered crocodile-filled waters in far north Queensland after a man drowned in monsoonal floods.Dozens of roads remained closed and communities were isolated as flood waters continued to rise in outback Queensland late on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Female MPs in Japan seek to flush out sexism with call for more toilets 31. December 2025 (09:29) PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. This is reflected by there being only one lavatory containing two cubicles for the lower house’s 73 women to use near the Diet’s main plenary session hall in central Tokyo. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guinea’s junta chief elected president after opposition boycott 31. December 2025 (08:54) Mamady Doumbouya had reneged on promise not to stand and hand west African country back to civilian rule The head of Guinea’s junta, Mamady Doumbouya, who had pledged not to run for office after seizing power four years ago, has been elected president after the country’s electoral commission said he had secured a sweeping majority of the vote.Doumbouya, 41, faced eight rivals for the presidency but the main opposition leaders were barred from running and had urged a boycott of the vote held over the weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia says ‘deeply concerning, destabilising’ Chinese exercises near Taiwan risk inflaming regional tension 31. December 2025 (08:28) Foreign affairs department statement says Australia opposes any actions that ‘increase the risk of accident, miscalculation or escalation’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia says it is deeply concerned about Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, and has raised the issue with Chinese officials.In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said the large-scale simulations risked destabilising the region and could result in an accident or escalation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French public broadcaster under fire as right sets up parliamentary inquiry 31. December 2025 (08:15) Investigation established by UDR party to look at ‘neutrality, workings and financing’ of state TV and radioThe French public broadcaster is at the centre of a political row as a parliamentary inquiry examines the “neutrality, workings and financing” of state TV and radio, while the media are expected to play a significant role ahead of the 2027 presidential election.The rightwing UDR party, an ally of Marine Le Pen’s far-right the National Rally (RN), set up the inquiry amid far-right claims that public TV and radio has a bias against them. Le Pen, whose party is expected to reach the final round of the presidential race, has said “there is a clear problem with neutrality in the public service broadcasting” and that she would like to privatise it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eurostar restarts in Channel tunnel with full service but risk of disruptions 31. December 2025 (07:32) Power problem and stuck vehicle shuttle halted seasonal rail travel between UK and the continent on TuesdayEurostar said it plans to run a full service on Wednesday but warned of possible knock-on disruptions after a power supply issue halted Channel tunnel train trips connecting London to the European mainland.Travellers making journeys in the busy run-up to the new year were left scrambling to find alternatives after the operator postponed all services between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK house prices: first-time buyers ‘will drive 2026 sales’ amid interest rate cuts 31. December 2025 (07:00) Rent rises likely to slow after rapid increases in recent years, lenders and estate agents forecastFirst-time buyers are expected to drive the UK housing market in 2026, with further interest rate cuts likely to improve stretched affordability.The for-sale market should accelerate moderately, with prices rising by 2% to 4%, while rent rises are likely to slow from the rapid increases of recent years, according to lenders and estate agents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zack Polanski offering voters fantasy solutions, says head of Fabian Society 31. December 2025 (07:00) Joe Dromey, head of the Labour thinktank, urges his party to take on the ‘twin populisms’ of Reform UK and the GreensThe Green party leader, Zack Polanski, is offering voters “unicorns” and Labour must confront his “fantasy” solutions such as the idea that a wealth tax would fix the public finances, according to the Fabian Society’s general secretary, Joe Dromey.Much of the government’s fire is trained on Nigel Farage. But in an end-of-year interview, the head of Labour’s internal thinktank urges his party to take on the “twin populisms” of Reform and Polanski. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is ‘coasting’ the perfect way to enjoy an alcoholic drink this New Year’s Eve? 31. December 2025 (07:00) Retailers say appetite for alcoholic drinks that are about half the strength of the traditional versions is soaringChristmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations often used to result in a hangover the next day, but with moderation now the order of the day the new drinks industry buzzword is “coasting”.This involves choosing a white wine, lager or even a cocktail that is about half the strength of the traditional version of the drink – meaning you can have the same number of drinks without feeling the worse for wear. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ten English fire services tackled record number of grass, forest and crop fires in 2025 31. December 2025 (06:00) Fire chief says summer, the UK’s hottest on record, was ‘one of the most challenging for wildfires that we’ve ever faced’Ten English fire services tackled a record number of grassland, woodland and crop fires during what was the UK’s hottest spring and summer on record, figures show.In total nearly 27,000 wildfires were dealt with by fire services in England during the prolonged dry weather of 2025, according to analysis by PA Media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
