Albania listed among 26 most exciting and affordable family holiday destinations by 'The Guardian'
European travel experts highlighted some of this year’s most exciting destinations, ranging from untouched islands in Finland to affordable resorts in Bulgaria and hidden trails in Albania. The British daily, The Guardian, listed Albania among 26 of the most exciting and affordable countries for family holidays. A family trip to Albania left an unforgettable impression. We spent two nights at the Lëpusha guesthouse. They visited the area to hike the famous trail leading to the “Peaks of the Balkans.”– https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/13/travel-writers-top-25-favourite-travel-discoveries-europe-2025-
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 15:27 UTC
School carol contest biggest yet
Thursday last week featured performances from Trinity, Sacred Heart and Rupert House primary schools and Nettlebed Community School. A “Spirit of Christmas” award was presented on both nights to the school whose performance best encapsulated the festive season. Mayor Tom Buckley, who watched the performance on Wednesday night, presented the award to Kidmore End Primary School. He said: “They came out with lots of energy and life and were full of Christmas spirit. On night two, Henley town councillor Kellie Hinton presented the spirit award to Sacred Heart Primary School, which performed Calypso Carol and Feliz Navidad, accompanied by several Year 5 and 6 pupils on ukulele.
Source:Express
December 19, 2025 15:26 UTC
Hundreds return to waters of Bondi Beach in paddle-out tribute to victims of mass shooting – video
Surfers, paddleboarders and others converged off the shores of Bondi in a show of solidarity on Friday morning, just a few hundred metres away from the scene of Sunday's mass shooting. Drone footage showed them in the ocean, resting on the gentle waves, paying respect to the victims, survivors and first responders
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 15:24 UTC
‘Little Christmas cheer’ for Reeves as borrowing figures higher than forecast
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been offered “very little Christmas cheer” after official figures showed higher-than-forecast government borrowing for November. Elliott Jordan-Doak, senior UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said there was “very little Christmas cheer for the Chancellor” in the latest figures. The figure was pushed lower thanks to falling debt interest payments on borrowing, down by £200 million year-on-year to £3.4 billion and the lowest November level for six years. He said: “£1 in every £10 we spend goes on debt interest – money that could otherwise be invested in public services. “Yet at the Budget, Labour chose even more reckless spending, piling up ever higher debt,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 13:51 UTC
A Song for Sindre by SpiritOfJohn - Ipswich Town Blog
A Song for SindreSindre Walle EgeliPlays for Ipswich Town FCHe can shoot and he can skiSindre Walle Egeli And here is an update to a festive favourite - try to imagine Kieran McKenna singing this one: On the first day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the second day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the third day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the fourth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the fifth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the sixth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the seventh day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the eighth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the ninth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 10th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 11th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 11 summer signings, 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 12th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 12 mission statements, 11 summer signings, 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliPlease report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided. You need to login in order to post your comments
Source:The Times
December 19, 2025 12:07 UTC
A Song for Sindre by SpiritOfJohn - Ipswich Town Blog
A Song for SindreSindre Walle EgeliPlays for Ipswich Town FCHe can shoot and he can skiSindre Walle Egeli And here is an update to a festive favourite - try to imagine Kieran McKenna singing this one: On the first day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the second day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the third day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the fourth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the fifth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the sixth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the seventh day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the eighth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the ninth day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 10th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 11th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 11 summer signings, 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliOn the 12th day of Christmas Mark Ashton gave to me 12 mission statements, 11 summer signings, 10 weeks of gelling, nine bench-a-warming, eight transfer windows, seven midweek changes, six additional minutes, five number 10s, four-gotten Humphreys, three loanees, two centre mids and a Sindre Walle EgeliPlease report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided. You need to login in order to post your comments
Source:The Times
December 19, 2025 12:07 UTC
Leigh Day recognised in Times Best Law Firms UK 2026
The firm has been commended for its expertise in public law, employment, human rights, and personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Human rights and public lawLeigh Day’s human rights department is the largest dedicated civil liberties and human rights team in the UK, representing individuals, NGOs, and charities in groundbreaking cases. The human rights department also houses Leigh Day's public law team. Personal injuryLeigh Day’s personal injury team represents clients who have suffered serious and often life-changing injuries. The personal injury team represents the family of Alex Eastwood, who died following an unsanctioned exhibition kickboxing match, and the family of Benedict Blythe, who died after having an allergic reaction while at his primary school.
Source:The Times
December 19, 2025 11:46 UTC
Leigh Day recognised in Times Best Law Firms UK 2026
The firm has been commended for its expertise in public law, employment, human rights, and personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Human rights and public lawLeigh Day’s human rights department is the largest dedicated civil liberties and human rights team in the UK, representing individuals, NGOs, and charities in groundbreaking cases. The human rights department also houses Leigh Day's public law team. Personal injuryLeigh Day’s personal injury team represents clients who have suffered serious and often life-changing injuries. The personal injury team represents the family of Alex Eastwood, who died following an unsanctioned exhibition kickboxing match, and the family of Benedict Blythe, who died after having an allergic reaction while at his primary school.
Source:The Times
December 19, 2025 11:46 UTC
Police seen kicking demonstrator at farmers' protest in Brussels – video
A protest outside the European parliament in Brussels against reforms to the common agricultural policy and proposed trade agreements turned violent on Thursday. Some demonstrators were seen smashing windows outside parliament, prompting a charge from riot police. In the footage, one protester can be seen falling before he is repeatedly beaten on the ground by police
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 09:01 UTC
From rules-based order to rule by fear: America’s democratic unravelling
As the Trump Administration weaponises state power against critics, America’s self-image as the guardian of a rules-based international order is collapsing in real time, writes Mark Beeson. On the contrary, it is often regarded as the voice of “the Blob”, or the predominantly liberal policy-making elites who have articulated a rather smug and idealised view of America’s role in international affairs. Equally predictably, American power was invariably seen as a positive and “indispensable” force in international affairs and central to the preservation of the “rules-based international order”. The authors detail the pernicious impact of Trump’s policies, which have systematically undermined or weaponised key elements of the American political system, including the judiciary and even the military. If American democracy fails, or if the Trump Administration manages to undermine it in Europe, the future for less powerful outposts of liberal democracy like Australia will be lonely at best, existentially fraught at worst.
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 07:53 UTC
Funerals held for couple killed trying to fight off Bondi shooter – video
Dozens have gathered to mourn Boris and Sofia Gurman, two bystanders who tried to stop a gunman during the early stages of the Bondi beach terror attack on Sunday, before losing their lives. The couple are among the 15 victims of the Bondi beach terror attack. Members of Sydney’s Jewish community and dignitaries were at the service at the Chevra Kadisha in Woollahra, where Alex Kleytman and 10-year-old Matilda were remembered on Thursday
Source:The Guardian
December 19, 2025 06:38 UTC
Mobile phones at the Christmas dinner table - yes or no?
Mobile phones and social media are having an increasing impact on children worldwide. So much so, social media has now been banned in Australia for all those under the age of 16. Should children be allowed to have mobile phones at the Christmas dinner table? The survey found that 48% of parents will allow their children (who are 18 or under) to have mobile phones at the dinner table on Christmas Day in 2025. Will you be allowing your children to have their mobile phones at the Christmas dinner table this year?
Source:The Times
December 18, 2025 12:13 UTC
FCA urged to extend Covid insurance claims for hospitality firms
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Source:The Times
December 18, 2025 12:03 UTC
Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks prison release
Maxwell maintained in a habeas petition she has promised to file since August, that information that would have resulted in her exoneration at her 2021 trial was withheld and false evidence was presented to the jury. The law, signed after months of public and political pressure, requires the justice department to provide the public with Epstein-related records by December 19. Epstein, a millionaire financier, was arrested in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, a British socialite, was arrested a year later and was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021. Last week, Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan granted the justice department’s request to publicly release the materials.
Source:The Times
December 18, 2025 11:06 UTC
Violence against women and girls strategy: Boys to be sent on courses to tackle misogyny in schools
She said while the strategy recognised the scale of the challenge, the level of investment "falls seriously short". The £20m package will also see teachers get training around how to identify positive role models, and how to challenge unhealthy myths about women and relationships. It will include a new helpline for teenagers to get support for concerns about abuse in their own relationships. The government hopes that by tackling the early roots of misogyny, it will prevent young men from becoming violent abusers. Under the new plans, schools will send high-risk students to get extra care and support, including behavioural courses to tackle their prejudice against women and girls.
Source:The Times
December 18, 2025 10:39 UTC