First of nine new river walks in England announced for north-west 26. December 2025 (08:00) Mersey Valley Way takes in Manchester and Stockport on its 13-mile route with other walks to be identified in 2026A new river walk has been announced by the government as ministers try to improve access to nature in England.The 13-mile (21km) walk will go through Greater Manchester and the north-west of England. There will be a river walk in each region of the country by the end of parliament, the government has pledged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Paddle boarders rescued after being swept more than 10km across Port Phillip Bay in three-hour ordeal 26. December 2025 (07:56) Pair say they were ‘exhausted, very shaken and feel so lucky’ after being spotted by air wing officers late on Christmas DayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo paddle boarders who were rescued after being swept more than 10km across Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay on Christmas Day say they are exhausted and shaken but grateful to have survived.Victoria police said the pair set out from Portarlington on the Bellarine peninsula about 3pm on Thursday but drifted out into the bay when conditions deteriorated and were swept all the way to Wyndham harbour in Melbourne’s outer west. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambodia accuses Thailand of launching strikes during border peace talks 26. December 2025 (07:56) Thai reports claim Cambodia carried out overnight attacks ahead of officials from both countries meeting for a third day of negotiations on FridayCambodia has accused Thailand of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, even as officials from the two countries attend a multi-day meeting aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes.The neighbours’ longstanding border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce and killing more than 40 people, according to official counts. About a million people have also been displaced. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan’s cabinet approves record defence budget amid escalating China tensions 26. December 2025 (07:16) Japanese strike-back capabilities and coastal defences to be boosted while Beijing accuses Tokyo of fuelling a ‘space arms race’Japan’s cabinet has approved a record high defence budget as tensions with China continue to spiral, with Beijing this week accusing Tokyo of “fuelling a space arms race”.The draft defence budget for the next fiscal year – approved on Friday – is more than ¥9tn ($58bn) and 9.4% bigger than the previous budget, which will end in April. The increase comes in the fourth year of Japan’s five-year program to double its annual arms spending to 2% of GDP. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sustainable aviation fuel take-up in UK unlikely to hit 2025 target, data suggests 26. December 2025 (07:00) Provisional figures in government mandate’s first year show 20% shortfall in levels of SAF supplied for UK flightsThe take-up of sustainable aviation fuels is on course to fall short of the UK government’s first annual mandate, official figures suggest.Production data published by the Department for Transport (DfT) covering most of 2025 shows that sustainable fuels (SAF) only accounted for 1.6% of fuel supplied for UK flights – 20% less fuel in volume than the 2% needed to fulfil the requirement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Keeps your mind alert’: older Swedes reap the benefits of learning for pleasure 26. December 2025 (06:00) Retirees with ‘fantastic hunger for education’ taking part in university organised events in record numbersRecord numbers of Swedish retirees are enrolling in a university run “by pensioners for pensioners” amid increased loneliness and a growing appetite for learning and in-person interactions.Senioruniversitet, a national university that collaborates with Sweden’s adult education institution Folkuniversitetet, has about 30 independent branches around the country which run study circles, lecture series and university courses in subjects including languages, politics, medicine and architecture. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Outdated furniture fire safety rules putting people at risk, MP warns 26. December 2025 (06:00) Millions of households are exposed to materials in upholstered furniture that can release dangerous fumes when they burnThe UK is still using extremely outdated furniture fire safety rules, putting people at risk from toxic materials, an MP has warned.Bob Blackman, the chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on fire safety, said the government has failed to update rules that date back to 1988, leaving millions of households exposed to materials that exacerbate the release of dangerous fumes when they burn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Homes threatened as bushfire rages south-east of Perth and storms hit Queensland and Northern Territory 26. December 2025 (02:42) Bushfire that is believed to have started at Boddington goldmine still uncontained, while monsoon trough soaks north-eastern AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians on both sides of the country have been warned to remain vigilant as floods and fires threatened their homes on Boxing Day.A bushfire continued to rage about 200km south-east of Perth on Friday morning, although nearby residents were no longer being urged to leave their homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victoria police name man they want to interview in relation to ‘Happy Chanukah’ car fire in St Kilda 26. December 2025 (01:36) Police say there is no indication John Argento, 47, poses specific risk to the Jewish community, but believe he may be able to help with investigationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria police have named a man they want to interview in relation to a suspected arson attack on a car sporting a “Happy Chanukah” sign in Melbourne on Christmas Day.Police said emergency services were called to a vehicle displaying a mobile billboard that had been set alight in the driveway of a property in St Kilda East about 2.50am on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Not for the people’: Myanmar junta prepares for elections designed to legitimise grip on power 26. December 2025 (01:01) Elections will be first since military seized power in 2021, but analysts say vote is far from a step toward democracyMyanmar is preparing to go to the polls for the first time since its military seized power in a coup in 2021, but with its former leader behind bars, its most successful political party disbanded and roughly a third of the country either disputed or in rebel hands, few believe claims by its military rulers that its 28 December election will be “free and fair”.“This is not for the people, this is for themselves,” says Pai, 25, who fled Myanmar after the military seized power. “They [the ruling junta] are looking for a way out of the trap they are [in].” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
