Staying at home could leave you exposed to indoor air pollution, study reveals
Being indoors can give us a degree of protection from outdoor air pollution, but it can also trap pollution we produce inside our homes. Dr James Heydon and a team from the University of Nottingham measured air pollution in 20 UK homes for four weeks. “We found that wood burning can trigger sharp spikes in indoor air pollution,” he said. Simple choices, like not lighting a stove on poor air quality or low wind days, improving ventilation, and avoiding frequent refuelling can help make a real difference.”Cooking also adds to indoor air pollution. Prof Sarah West from the University of York is part of the Ingenious study that measured air pollution in 310 homes in Bradford.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 19:01 UTC
Buzzwords of the year, from AI-washing to the Broligarchy
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Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 18:50 UTC
Stranger Things to Y Crwydryn: the seven best shows to stream this week
Netflix, from New Year’s DayY Crwydryn (The Wanderer)View image in fullscreen Keeping it alive … John Jones and Alun Roberts in Y Crwydryn (The Wanderer). BBC iPlayer, out nowMembers Only: Palm BeachView image in fullscreen Guilty pleasure … Hilary Musser in Member’s Only: Palm Beach. Photograph: NetflixThis true-crime documentary unravels the horrific story of influencers Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke. Netflix, from Tuesday 30 DecemberRicky Gervais: MortalityView image in fullscreen Monumental … Ricky Gervais: Mortality. Netflix, from New Year’s DayThe Teresa Battaglia CasesView image in fullscreen High altitude … Elena Sofia Ricci in The Teresa Battaglia Cases.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 18:02 UTC
Brief shades of Boxing Day 2010 but Australia’s 2025 bowling cohort were always in control
For a while, Boxing Day 2025 felt like a re-enactment of Boxing Day 2010. You had England choosing to bowl on a cloudy morning and finishing off the hosts in time for an early tea. In 2010, England owned the day, a Jimmy Anderson swing masterclass ripping out a paralysed middle order, Chris Tremlett lopping off top and tail like a légumier preparing string beans. That’s why the Boxing Day crowd in 2010 sat in shellshocked silence at the change of innings: the danger of a series loss stared 84,000 attendees in the face. The heartbreaker for Australia in 2010 wasn’t the 98 all out on day one, it was the 157 without loss that followed it by stumps.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 17:49 UTC
How the super-rich travel now, from £10 million trips to saving rhinos
Welcome to the new age of luxury holidays. A&K says that two out of three of its private jet journeys for next year are already sold out. Virtuoso is a global network of luxury travel specialists whose members have reported eye-watering room rates at popular European resorts last summer. Fly to SHA Mexico on a private jet MAUREEN EVANSThen there’s the rise of the health-conscious who want hyperpersonalised programmes at medi-spas that offer state-of-the-art screening using hospital-grade equipment. Likewise, a visit by private jet from London to SHA Mexico for its tailored longevity programme could rack up a bill of £220,000.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 17:38 UTC
Cumbria: Five ways our county has changed since Covid-19
Working smarterNorth Cumbria's NHS trust has learned lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and the acceleration it brought in services moving online. This could involve learning lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, using digital innovations to monitor patients closer to home. Anxiety in young peopleGrowing-up during the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic was challenging for young people and may be responsible for deterioration in their mental health. Immediately following the Covid-19 pandemic, the service saw a rise in young people with anxiety about leaving the safety of their home. Leaders of statutory organisations such as NCIC and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have said the issue is a factor in their struggles to recruit staff.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 17:04 UTC
NYC to ring in America's 250th birthday with historic second ball drop in Times Square
New York City announced plans for a second Times Square ball drop in 2026 to help launch celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary. The plan came from America250, the congressionally chartered body overseeing the nation's semiquincentennial, which partnered with One Times Square and the Times Square Alliance to stage the event. Organizers also unveiled plans for a redesigned Times Square ball, known as the Constellation Ball, featuring crystal panels and illuminated patterns inspired by Morse code. Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown L.P., which owns One Times Square, said the building has long served as a focal point during moments of national significance. Organizers said they designed the semiquincentennial to encourage broad participation, using the Times Square ball drop as a visible opening signal for a year of nationwide observances.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 16:58 UTC
Sad sign of the times as Stoke City fans walk past Boxing Day homeless camp
Sad sign of the times as Stoke City fans walk past Boxing Day homeless campThe tents have been pitched near the incineratorView Image A homeless camp near the incineratorStoke City fans have walked past a homeless camp - on their way to this afternoon's Boxing Day match. The tents have been erected on land near the incinerator. It comes as Stoke City have entertained Preston North End in the Championship this afternoon. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has pledged to get tough on homeless encampments in the city. It is part of moves to try to have the UK's most family friendly streets here in Stoke-on-Trent.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 16:05 UTC
US says more strikes expected in Nigeria
FeaturedUS says more strikes expected in Nigeriatheguardian.com International News Dec - 26 - 2025 , 15:51 4 minutes readThe US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has warned of new strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria, hours after the US military took action against militant camps in what Donald Trump has characterised as efforts to stop the killing of Christians. Hegseth wrote on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. Merry Christmas!”Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said on Friday that the US strikes, which came after Trump had accused Nigeria’s government of failing to stop Christians being killed in the country, were “part of joint ongoing operations”. Nigeria is officially secular and its population is almost evenly split between Muslims (53%) and Christians (45%). Nigeria provided the intelligence for the airstrikes in Sokoto state, Tuggar told the country’s Channels Television on Friday.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 15:57 UTC
Dear Britain: things are bad, but America will recover from Donald Trump. Just give us three years | Jimmy Kimmel
But the holiday does seem to come earlier and earlier every year, doesn’t it? View image in fullscreen Jimmy Kimmel delivering Channel 4’s 2025 alternative Christmas message. View image in fullscreen US presidential candidate Donald Trump appearing on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, 16 December 2015. I mean I don’t know if you know this, but his son lives here. And we want you to know or, at least I want you to know, that we’re not all like him.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 15:56 UTC
Arne Slot hopes Diogo Jota family find solace as Liverpool plan Anfield tributes
Portugal forward Jota was killed along with his brother Andre Silva on July 3 in a car crash in Spain. Jota had a successful spell at Wolves before he moved to Liverpool in 2020. Diogo Jota joined Liverpool following a successful spell at Wolves (Nick Potts/PA)It has been reported Jota’s two sons will accompany the mascots for Saturday’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolves at Anfield. Writing in his matchday programme notes, Slot reflected on the past 12 months, which the Dutchman admitted “ignites a roller coaster of emotions” as he looked back on everything that has happened. Slot said: “Doing so leads me to think especially of the family of Diogo Jota on what will be their first Christmas without him.
Source:Express
December 26, 2025 14:47 UTC
Times Square to feature patriotic ball drop for New Year's Eve, kicking off US's 250th birthday
They're also planning a second ball drop July 3, the eve of the nation's birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it," Rios said. It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be ball drop in Times Square that doesn't occur on New Year's Eve, she said. A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 14:47 UTC
UK’s longest-serving woman prisoner who knifed love rival could soon be released after 40 years in jail
BRITAIN’S longest-serving female prisoner could soon be released after nearly 40 years in jail. The 69-year-old mum of three was previously sent to an open prison but returned to closed conditions again after concerns about her behaviour. But she could finally be released at her tenth parole board hearing next month. But just three months later she was returned to closed conditions after concerns around her behaviour. She recently overtook Moors murderer Myra Hindley as the longest-serving female lag.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 14:46 UTC
LIVE: Maidenhead United defeated by 10-men Slough Town in 'SL Classico'
Full time: Maidenhead 1-3 Slough Town. Slough Town have a third and that surely wraps up a remarkable victory for the 10-men Rebels. Maidenhead United 1-2 Slough Town. '5: Shouts for a penalty to Slough Town as Tyrese Dyce goes down in the box but the referee waves it away. Maidenhead United 1-0 Slough Town.
Source:Express
December 26, 2025 14:31 UTC
Epstein Victim Demands Legal Action Against Mountbatten-Windsor in US Courts
Epstein Survivor Demands Justice for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the USA survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse has urged the United States to hold Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor accountable for alleged crimes. Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, faces longstanding accusations of sexually abusing Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide after years of fighting to expose her abuse. He described Virginia Giuffre as “an extraordinarily brave hero” and called it shameful to have supported claims made by Epstein, Maxwell, or the former royal. Key Points:Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda demands Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor face justice in the US. Mountbatten-Windsor lost royal titles over Epstein ties and denies all accusations.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 13:10 UTC