Astronaut Amanda Nguyen says backlash from Blue Origin flight left her depressed 30. December 2025 (19:03) In a statement shared on Instagram, Nguyen says she faced a ‘tsunami of harassment’ after the all-female spaceflightAmanda Nguyen, the Vietnamese-American astronaut who was part of the all-female Blue Origin spaceflight, has opened up about her depression after she experienced a “tsunami of harassment” after the trip, in which she became the first Vietnamese woman to go to space.Nguyen, 34, was part of April’s historic 11-minute flight, whose crew included pop star Katy Perry, broadcast journalist Gayle King, and journalist and wife of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez. The flight was heavily criticized for its environmental impact and critics questioned its purpose and use of resources. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Absolutely frightening’: surge in ketamine cases hits UK urology wards 30. December 2025 (19:00) Young adults and teenagers prevalent in ‘skyrocketing’ admissions linked to class B drug, say doctors in northern EnglandExperts have warned that urology departments across the UK could be close to breaking point as ketamine-related hospital admissions have “skyrocketed” in the past few years.Ketamine, a class B dissociative drug used for pain relief and sedation, is increasingly used recreationally in the UK. It is one of only three drugs, alongside magic mushrooms and hallucinogens, to have become used more regularly since 2015. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sea swimmers urged to be cautious about taking new year dips off British coast 30. December 2025 (18:57) RNLI tells people to consider their health, cold water effects and weather conditions after disappearance of two swimmers on Christmas DayPeople planning on welcoming the new year by braving the British weather for a swim in the sea have been warned of the dangers after the disappearance of two swimmers on Christmas Day.The Royal National Lifeboat Institution said the effects of cold-water shock combined with weather conditions pose a risk to anyone entering water that is 15C or below. At this time of year, the average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is 6C to 10C. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran to listen to protesters’ ‘legitimate demands’ after widespread dissent 30. December 2025 (18:57) President calls for talks with leaders of demonstrations caused by decline in currency and living standardsIran’s government has called for dialogue with protest leaders after the country’s largest demonstrations in three years over a plunging currency and declining living conditions.Protests started on Sunday after Iran’s currency fell to a record low against the US dollar, causing traders and shopkeepers to close their stores in downtown Tehran. This was accompanied by mass protests in the capital as well as in major cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family pays tribute to Durham boy, 14, who died after farm vehicle overturned 30. December 2025 (18:56) Aaron Anderson, a ‘cheeky chappie’ with ‘amazing work ethic’, died after incident involving John Deere Gator The family of a 14-year-old boy who died after a collision on a farm in which an off-road utility vehicle overturned has paid tribute to him.Police said Aaron Anderson sustained life-threatening injuries after a John Deere Gator was in a collision at the farm in Burnopfield, County Durham, on the evening of 21 December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mamdani to be sworn in as New York mayor in abandoned subway station 30. December 2025 (18:56) Mamdani to take oath of office on New Year’s Eve in Gilded Age subway station beneath city hallWhile tens of thousands of New Yorkers will be in Times Square for countdown to 2026, the city’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has said he will be sworn into office in an underground midnight private ceremony at an abandoned subway station built during the Gilded Age.Mamdani, 34, plans to take the oath of office on New Year’s Eve in a disused subway station beneath city hall which acts as turnaround for the local 5 train. The unusual choice of venue for the ceremony, Mamdani said, is symbolically resonant of the “inauguration of a new era”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tensions between Saudis and Emiratis over future of Yemen reach boiling point 30. December 2025 (18:19) Dispute has potential to create civil war in south of Yemen and spill over into neighbouring countriesTensions between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia over the future of Yemen and the imminent possibility of the declaration of an independent southern state have reached boiling point with Saudi Arabia in effect accusing the UAE of threatening its future security.The dispute has the potential to create a civil war within the south of Yemen and also spill over into other disputes including in Sudan and the Horn of Africa where the two countries often find themselves backing opposite sides. Yemen could yet become only one theatre in which the two vastly wealthy Gulf states vie for political influence, control of shipping lanes and commercial access. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fashion brand LK Bennett on brink of collapse 30. December 2025 (17:59) Clothing chain acquired by China-based backers out of 2019 insolvency applies to appoint administratorsBusiness live – latest updatesThe upmarket fashion brand LK Bennett appears to be heading for collapse for the second time in six years.On Tuesday the company filed an application with the high court to appoint an administrator to the business, which employs about 280 staff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspected DC pipe bomber to appear at detention hearing after alleged confession 30. December 2025 (17:50) Lawyers for Brian Cole argue he should be released ahead of trial for allegedly planting devices in DC in 2021The man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican national committees the night before the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol is set to appear at a federal detention hearing before a magistrate judge on Tuesday.Earlier this month, authorities arrested Brian Cole Jr, of Woodbridge, Virginia. He has yet to enter a plea. Cole’s lawyers argue that he should be released while he awaits trial, as he does not present any danger. In a recent court filing, they write that Cole has agreed to home detention enforced by GPS monitoring, and will live under the supervision of his grandmother. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eurostar disruption: Channel tunnel partially reopens but ‘significant’ delays ongoing – business live 30. December 2025 (17:49) Eurostar ‘strongly advise’ passengers to postpone journeys after problem with overhead power supply in Channel tunnel and a failed Le Shuttle trainFull story: Eurostar cancels all trains to and from London after Channel tunnel power cutTell us: have you been affected by the Channel Tunnel rail disruption?European stocks have hit a record high today, ending a strong year on the front foot.The pan-European Stoxx 600 index has risen by over 0.2% this morning to 590.65 points, a new peak.The Euro area and UK economies proved more resilient in 2025 than we anticipated. US tariffs weighed on exports and real GDP growth in Q2 and Q3, but domestic demand has generally been more robust than we anticipated.As a result, Euro area and UK GDP growth, while still underperforming the US this year, have turned out higher than in our forecast at the end of 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
