No 10 defends campaign to release Abd el-Fattah despite his ‘abhorrent’ tweets 29. December 2025 (15:17) MPs reject calls to strip British-Egyptian activist of UK nationality over social media posts from a decade agoDowning Street has defended its campaign for the release of a British-Egyptian activist and its decision to welcome him to the UK despite his “abhorrent” tweets a decade ago.Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who arrived in London on Boxing Day after the British government successfully negotiated his release, said he apologised “unequivocally” for his posts after opposition parties called for him to be deported and his citizenship revoked. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kosovo prime minister wins snap election to end political deadlock 29. December 2025 (15:12) Albin Kurti’s emphatic victory strengthens mandate for domestic reforms including welfare expansionKosovo’s prime minister, Albin Kurti has won an emphatic election victory, marking a resurgence for the nationalist leader and ending a political deadlock in Europe’s youngest state.The win in Sunday’s snap election strengthens Kurti’s mandate to push through domestic reforms, including welfare expansion and higher salaries for public workers, although he faces significant problems including tensions with Serbia and health and education systems that lag behind Kosovo’s Balkan neighbours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ten years since David Dungay Jr died in jail, a rally to protest deaths in custody could test NSW’s new laws 29. December 2025 (15:00) Dunghutti man’s nephew says fight for justice ‘is not just political – it is spiritual, cultural, and about survival’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSince his uncle died in custody at one of New South Wales’ toughest prisons a decade ago, Paul Silva has been advocating for change almost daily. From organising large-scale rallies with thousands in attendance, to sitting through numerous coronial inquiries and supporting families, he says the right to protest is needed now more than ever.The nephew of David Dungay Jr, a Dunghutti man who died at the age of 26 at Long Bay jail in Sydney’s southern suburbs on 29 December 2015, Silva says the fight for justice “is not just political – it is spiritual, cultural, and about survival”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese’s refusal to heed families’ pleas for Bondi inquiry is hard to understand – and easy for opposition to attack 29. December 2025 (15:00) A review of Asio and the federal police is worthwhile, but it’s not a substitute for a royal commission into antisemitismGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen Anthony Albanese opened a press conference on Monday announcing the release of terms of reference for an inquiry into the Bondi massacre, it seemed for a fleeting moment that he had belatedly agreed to hold a commonwealth royal commission.The timing would have been understandable, after the victims’ families had penned an open letter pleading for one, making the sort of intervention that can be politically untenable for any prime minister to refuse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland to continue to allow farmers to shoot flying foxes after revoking ban on controversial practice 29. December 2025 (15:00) Conservationists and scientists criticise state for backtracking and say alternative non-lethal methods such as netting are more effectiveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland government has backtracked on plans to end the shooting of flying foxes from July 2026, continuing a practice wildlife advocates and scientists describe as “ineffective” and “inhumane”.Permits issued by the state’s environment department allow Queensland farmers to shoot flying foxes for the purposes of crop protection, up to an annual statewide quota set at 1,630 animals. That includes 130 grey-headed flying foxes, listed as vulnerable under federal environment laws, along with 700 black and 800 little red flying foxes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pauline Hanson travelled to US on Gina Rinehart’s private jet to attend CPAC 29. December 2025 (15:00) One Nation senator travelled on mining magnate’s Gulfstream 700 in October and is yet to declare it on parliamentary register Pauline Hanson and her chief of staff, James Ashby, flew to Florida on Gina Rinehart’s private jet in October, but the One Nation senator is yet to declare the sponsored travel or answer questions about whether she may be in breach of parliamentary rules.Guardian Australia can reveal the One Nation senator and her staffer travelled with Rinehart on the mining magnate’s Gulfstream 700 on 27 October, with publicly available flight tracking data showing that the aircraft travelled from Brisbane to Perth, before flying via Osaka to Palm Beach. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK medical regulator warns against buying weight-loss jabs from social media channels 29. December 2025 (14:53) MHRA says buying from illegal online sellers can put health at real risk amid booming black marketLosing weight may be a common new year resolution but health experts have warned against buying medications for such purposes from social media sellers or other illegitimate channels.Jabs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have become hugely popular for weight loss, with trials suggesting the latter can help people lose an average of 20% of their body weight after 72 weeks of treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria that killed two people 29. December 2025 (14:52) British former boxing champion sustained minor injuriesTwo people killed in collision, say police in Ogun StateThe British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been involved in a car accident in Nigeria’s Ogun State that killed two people, local police said on Monday.Joshua, 36, sustained minor injuries when his vehicle collided with another car, Ogun State Police Command said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is claim Ukraine deal is ‘95% done’ just another empty assertion from Trump? 29. December 2025 (14:38) A sober observer assessing the US president’s claim may react the same way as Zelenskyy – with shock and disbeliefZelenskyy says US has agreed to offer Ukraine ‘strong’ 15-year security guaranteesA deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine was “95% done”, Donald Trump claimed after his meeting over the weekend with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago.Unfortunately, the 5% still remaining includes the small matter of getting Vladimir Putin to agree to a deal – and there are precious few indicators that that is any closer. Instead, Trump’s claim seems to be the latest in a long line of overoptimistic statements anticipating a swift end to the conflict, starting with his campaign promise that he would end the war in 24 hours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Copper price on track for biggest rise in 15 years amid global shortage fears 29. December 2025 (14:27) Metal that underpins the renewable energy industry joins silver and gold as a safe haven asset for investorsBusiness live – latest updatesCopper, the metal that underpins the fast-growing renewable energy industry, is on course for its biggest annual price rise in more than 15 years as traders react to fears of global shortages.As one of the main beneficiaries of the “electrification of everything”, copper has soared by more than 35% in value this year, spurred by US tariff uncertainty and concerns about mining disasters that could restrict supply. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
