UK Politics

Farage targets teachers as protest disrupts Reform rally

— Nigel Farage attacks “leftwing” teaching unions after anti-racism protesters interrupt a campaign event in Doncaster.

Transport

Gemini Trains eyes bold bid to break Eurostar’s monopoly

— A new player, Gemini Trains, challenges Eurostar with bold plans for London-Paris-Brussels rail routes via the Channel Tunnel.

Signal Leaked Messages

‘Pathetic’ & ‘parasites’: US officials rip into Europeans in leaked chat

— A leaked U.S. war chat reveals senior U.S. officials’ contempt for Europe’s role in Middle East security, mocking European naval defence shortcomings, demanding financial compensation, and exposing deep transatlantic divisions as Washington grows weary of bearing the cost of European security.

UK Politics

Cummings-Farage: An unholy alliance in the making?

— Former Brexit foes Dominic Cummings and Nigel Farage shared a pre-Christmas dinner, sparking speculation of a shock alliance to disrupt Westminster’s status quo and reshape Britain’s political future.

UK Media

GB News faces Ofcom scrutiny over anti-LGBTQ+ remarks

— Record-breaking 71,582 complaints prompt Ofcom probe into GB News show accused of spreading anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation.

Brexit

Brexit’s £37bn blow: Labour eyes EU trade reset

— The UK admits a £37bn Brexit trade hit. Labour calls for an EU reset, as pressure grows to scrap barriers and prioritise recovery over ideology. A new deal may reshape relations.

Heathrow Outage

Back on track: Heathrow recovers after major power outage

— Flights have resumed at Heathrow Airport after Friday’s outage, with extra staff, flights, and government support easing disruption for stranded travellers.

Ministry of Defence

Military money, civilian risks: MoD falls short on cadet oversight

— MoD warned to fix oversight failings in £146m cadet and reserve force network or risk weakening UK defence support.

Education

Labour pushes for stricter school phone bans amid social media concerns

— Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson launches a review into smartphone bans in English schools, as MPs call for tougher social media controls.

Russian Threat

France to distribute survival guide amid rising crisis threats

— Inspired by Sweden, the French government will send a survival manual to every household, preparing citizens for war, disasters, and emergencies.

Political Funding

Blocking Musk’s millions: UK to tighten political donation rules

— The UK government plans to cap donations from foreign-backed firms, partly to prevent Elon Musk’s £80m gift to Reform UK.

Free Speech

French scientist denied US entry over Trump criticism

— A French researcher was expelled from the US after border officers found messages criticising Trump’s policies.

War in Ukraine

Trump’s Ukraine call: A step towards peace or political showmanship?

— Donald Trump claims to be brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine after talks with Zelensky and Putin. A partial ceasefire is discussed, but political manoeuvring and conflicting demands may hinder progress.

Abortion Rights

Landmark decision at Versailles as French Parliament votes to enshrine abortion rights in Constitution

— In a historic Versailles session, the French Parliament overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment securing abortion rights, marking a groundbreaking moment for women’s rights. France becomes the first country in the world to enshrine abortion in its constitution.

Worker Rights

Biking for justice: The battle for fair pay in the gig economy

— Deliveroo riders’ strikes in London spotlight the gig economy’s challenges. Allegations of police interference, decreasing earnings, and demands for fair treatment and safety prompt a broader conversation on workers’ rights.

UK Politics

From Cameron to Sunak: Unveiling the best and worst of Conservative PMs

— Recent YouGov surveys illuminate public perception of UK Conservative Prime Ministers since 2010. Liz Truss is heavily criticised, Boris Johnson polarises, while Rishi Sunak’s leadership receives mixed responses.