News 21/12/25

More than eight hundred migrants crossed the English Channel on Saturday in thirteen small boats, according to Home Office data.

The figure is a record for a December day in recent years and is thought to reflect a backlog of people attempting the journey after recent periods of bad weather. The crossings take the total for the year to forty one thousand four hundred and fifty five people, surpassing the twenty twenty four total of thirty six thousand eight hundred and sixteen. A Home Office spokesperson said the number of small boat crossings was shameful and said the British people deserve better.

The US is in active pursuit of a third oil tanker near Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, officials have said.

It comes amid escalation from the Trump administration against Nicolas Maduro’s government, as the United States builds up a naval presence in the region, including the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and its support group. The status of the attempted interception remains unclear, with reports emerging around two thirty pm UK time that an operation was under way.

The family of a Palestine Action prisoner on day forty three of a hunger strike says she could die in prison if the UK government does not intervene.

Teuta Hoxha, twenty nine, has been on remand awaiting trial for thirteen months. Her sister says she suffers headaches, mobility problems, and can no longer stand for prayer. Relatives fear the worst and say she has given doctors instructions if she collapses.

The US is intercepting a third vessel off the coast of Venezuela, US officials say, according to Reuters.

They have not said which vessel was intercepted and gave no specific location for the operation. This follows video footage showing an oil tanker being seized near the Venezuelan coast, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security. Last week, the US seized a sanctioned oil tanker called Skipper off Venezuela.

A man shot dead in north west London has been named as fifty five year old Simon Whyte.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Team are appealing for witnesses, information and dashcam footage following the incident in Stonebridge, Brent, on Friday evening. Officers are keen to hear from a group who were nearby at the time.

The chair of the Labour Party has insisted Sir Keir Starmer will absolutely still be prime minister next Christmas, despite a difficult position in the polls.

Anna Turley said things remain hard for Britons, but struck an optimistic tone about the year ahead. She said the government has taken difficult decisions to stabilise the economy, and believes recovery is now beginning.

Pictures of Donald Trump are among at least sixteen documents missing from Epstein files released by the Department of Justice.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee highlighted the apparent removal of an image showing printed pictures of Mr Trump in a desk drawer. One shows him surrounded by women, while another appears to show Mr Trump, Melania, Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.

Mourners across Australia fell silent on Sunday to honour victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

The memorial marked a national day of reflection, one week after two gunmen opened fire at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hannukah. Fifteen people were killed, including a child, a British born rabbi and a Holocaust survivor. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed on arrival, reflecting anger within the Jewish community after a rise in antisemitic attacks.

Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales under a new animal welfare strategy due to be published on Monday.

The practice involves laying an animal based scent for dogs to follow, with hunters on horseback, and has remained legal since the two thousand and four hunting ban. The government says it is used as a smokescreen for hunting wild animals.

England have lost the third Test in a historic Ashes defeat against Australia, who secured victory after just eleven days of cricket.

Australia now retain the Ashes with an unassailable three nil lead in the five match series in Adelaide. England 435 but were bowled out for 352.

Nine people have died and at least ten others were wounded after a shooting at a South African pub.

Police say around twelve suspects travelling in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the KwaNoxolo tavern in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, just before one am on Sunday, continuing to shoot randomly as they fled.

Councillors have shown further support for starting talks with the Government about devolution to give Slough a stronger voice.

Devolution would see central Government pass powers to a regional level, including transport and housing. Discussions continue on forming a combined authority with nearby councils, led by an elected mayor, unlocking additional Government funding.