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Outdated furniture fire safety rules putting people at risk, MP warns 26.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to materials in upholstered furniture that can release dangerous fumes when they burnThe UK is still using extremely outdated furniture fire safety rules, putting people at risk from toxic materials, an MP has warned.Bob Blackman, the chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG)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)
US carries out strikes on Nigeria targeting Islamic State militants, Trump says 26. December 2025 (00:41) President claims strikes targeted militants in country’s north-west, accusing group of attacking Christian communitiesDonald Trump has said the US carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria on Thursday, after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.The president said in a post on his Truth Social platform: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man charged after allegedly performing Nazi salutes at Canberra shopping centres 25. December 2025 (23:32) Police allege the man also trespassed at ANU and ‘stuck propaganda-style stickers’ on buildings and other propertyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn 18-year-old has been charged with allegedly performing two separate Nazi salutes at Canberra shopping centres and putting up “propaganda-style stickers” in recent months.The man is expected to appear before ACT magistrates court on Friday, where police will allege in October a member of the public confronted him as he stuck stickers up at a shopping centre and then performed a Nazi salute before leaving the centre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burst pipe leaves homes in East Sussex without water on Christmas Day 25. December 2025 (23:31) Southern Water says incident led to ‘very low levels’ at reservoir and set up bottled water station for residentsSome households in East Sussex have had no water on Christmas Day after supplier Southern Water experienced a problem while trying to restore service following a burst water main.Southern Water blamed “very low levels” at Fairlight reservoir, adding that the facility had “now reached its final reserves”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian opposition leader sentenced to six years in prison 25. December 2025 (20:31) Sergei Udaltsov, Putin critic affiliated with the Communist party, convicted of justifying terrorismA court in Russia on Thursday convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin of justifying terrorism and sentenced him to six years in prison.Sergei Udaltsov, the leader of the Left Front movement that opposes Putin and is affiliated with the Communist party, was arrested last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
