Trump supporters hail US strikes in Nigeria as ‘amazing Christmas present’ 26. December 2025 (18:50) Some even celebrated ‘mass killing’ and the president’s ‘resolve’ in attacking Islamic State targets The US’s Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria have been met with praise by Donald Trump supporters who for months had been agitating for the president to respond forcefully to the killings of Christians in the country.“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians through the justified mass killing of Islamic terrorists,” the far-right political activist Laura Loomer posted on X. “You’ve got to love it! Death to all Islamic terrorists! Thank you.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two killed in stabbing and suspected car-ramming in northern Israel 26. December 2025 (18:37) Defence minister instructs military to respond with force in West Bank, where he said attacker was fromA Palestinian motorist ran over a man and stabbed a woman in northern Israel, killing both, Israeli emergency services say.The assailant, from the occupied West Bank, was shot and wounded by a civilian at the scene on Friday and taken to hospital, Israeli police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland as sovereign state 26. December 2025 (18:34) Diplomatic breakthrough comes more than three decades after declaration of independence from SomaliaIsrael has become the first country to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, a breakthrough in its quest for international recognition since it declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago.The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland had signed an agreement establishing full diplomatic relations, which would include the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shoppers shun UK high streets despite lure of Boxing Day sales 26. December 2025 (17:27) Footfall in central London down 7.7% on last year but Britain’s retail parks buck trend with 6.9% riseFewer shoppers have headed to UK high streets in search of Boxing Day bargains, with central London suffering a significant decline in visitors as many decided to shun the traditional start of the sales.Footfall at the country’s high streets and shopping centres fell on Friday morning, running slightly behind last year, according to figures from the monitoring company MRI Software. Across all UK retail destinations footfall slipped 0.3%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China imposes sanctions on US defence firms over Taiwan arms deal 26. December 2025 (17:01) $10bn Trump-approved sale to Taipei triggers Beijing sanctions against firms such as Boeing and Northrop GrummanChina’s foreign ministry has hit US defence companies including Boeing with sanctions after Donald Trump approved a large package of arms sales to Taiwan.The ministry said on Friday that the measures – against 10 individuals and 20 US firms including Boeing’s production hub at St Louis in Missouri – would freeze any assets the companies and individuals hold in China and bar domestic organisations and individuals from doing business with them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kentucky plane crash death toll rises to 15 after injured man died on Christmas 26. December 2025 (16:54) Alain Rodriguez Colina was working at a scrapyard that the UPS cargo plane crashed into on 4 NovemberThe death toll from the UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky in early November has risen to 15 after a man injured on the ground died on Christmas from his wounds, according to officials.Alain Rodriguez Colina was working at a scrapyard that was one of the businesses into which UPS Flight 2976 crashed as it took off from Louisville’s airport on 4 November. Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, and Louisville’s mayor, Craig Greenberg, each confirmed that Rodriguez died on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
King Charles’s annual message is most watched TV show in UK on Christmas Day 26. December 2025 (16:51) Nearly 7m tuned in to watch monarch praise ‘great diversity of our communities’ on 25 DecemberThe king’s Christmas address was the most watched TV programme in the UK on Christmas Day, overnight data has shown.Nearly 7 million viewers tuned in to the BBC, ITV, Sky News or GB News to watch King Charles deliver his annual message, which was recorded in Westminster Abbey. Charles praised the “great diversity of our communities” and used his Christmas address, to urge the nation to “cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation”.The King (BBC, ITV, BBC News and Sky News) 6.56m (not including other channels)The Scarecrows’ Wedding 4.31mStrictly Come Dancing 4.24mMichael McIntyre’s The Wheel 3.71mCall the Midwife 3.44mGladiators 3.16mAmandaland 3.05mEastEnders 2.85mThe 1% Club 2.75mThe Weakest Link 2.63m Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK campaigner targeted by Trump accuses tech giants of ‘sociopathic greed’ 26. December 2025 (16:01) Exclusive: Imran Ahmed says US companies are ‘corrupting the system’ of politics by seeking to avoid accountabilityA British anti-disinformation campaigner told by the Trump administration that he faces possible removal from the US has said he is being targeted by arrogant and “sociopathic” tech companies for trying to hold them to account.Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), is among five European nationals barred from the US by the state department after being accused of seeking to push tech firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US warns of more Nigeria strikes as Abuja talks of ‘joint ongoing operations’ 26. December 2025 (15:41) Pete Hegseth says ‘more to come’ as Nigerian minister confirms his country provided intelligence for first waveUS politics live: latest news updatesThe US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has warned of new strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria, hours after the US military took action against militant camps in what Donald Trump has characterised as efforts to stop the killing of Christians.Hegseth wrote on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The [Pentagon] is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California braces for flooding and avalanche risk during strong storms 26. December 2025 (15:26) Mudslides, big waves and atmospheric rivers slam state after LA’s wettest Christmas season in 54 yearsA strong storm system that has brought relentless winds, rain and snowfall to California was expected to ease on Friday, but there was still a risk of high surf along the coast, flash flooding near Los Angeles and avalanches in the Sierra Nevada.Waves near the San Francisco Bay Area could reach up to 25ft (7.6 meters) on Friday, parts of southern California were at risk of flooding, and avalanches could hit the Lake Tahoe area, officials warned. Residents were told to be ready to evacuate the mountain town of Wrightwood about 80 miles (130km) north-east of Los Angeles because of mudslides. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
