Scots soldiers continue wartime tradition with blanket design competition
Soldiers from 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (4Scots) have been based in Dhekelia, Cyprus, since August. The tradition dates back to the Second World War, when soldiers deployed in harsh conditions sought to bring some Christmas cheer to bleak positions. The battalion is deployed in Cyprus over the festive period (4Scots/PA)A regiment-wide blanket decorating competition evolved during the war, with the owner of the best-looking blanket crowned the winner. The troops will remain in Cyprus over the festive season as part of the British Army’s high-readiness standby force. His blanket depicts a stag standing among poppies, and is designed to remember those who came before.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 00:12 UTC
European cities UK holidaymakers ‘most want to visit’ in 2026 revealed
The survey was carried out in December, among 2,000 people who had taken a European city break in the past 12 months or who plan to go on a European city break in the coming 12 months. Nearly a third (29%) of holidaymakers expect to reduce their overall spend on European city breaks next year, while 9% plan to spend more, according to the survey carried out for pan European hostel operator Safestay. Copenhagen topped the list alongside Prague, when people were asked which European cities they most wanted to visit in 2026 (John Giles/PA Archive)Asked what made their favourite European city break memorable, nearly a fifth (18%) of people said great local food and drink while 15% highlighted the people they travelled with. Looking ahead, Prague and Copenhagen jointly topped the list of European cities that UK holidaymakers most want to visit in 2026 (17%), ahead of Venice (14%), Athens (14%), Barcelona (13%) and Paris (13%), according to the survey, carried out by Find Out Now. Peter Zielke, chief operating officer of Safestay, said: “This research highlights a clear shift in how people are thinking about city breaks.
Source:The Times
December 26, 2025 00:12 UTC
Newspoll quarterly breakdowns: September to November (open thread)
Together with test cricket, Boxing Day reliably provides us with the final quarterly Newspoll breakdowns for the year, via The Australian. Breakdowns by income hint at the possibility of a more complex picture than an exodus from the Coalition to One Nation. One Nation were up eight points in Queensland to 18% (where the Coalition was down six to 27%) and by three or four points elsewhere. • Former Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel and former South Australian Senator Rex Patrick have launched a High Court challenge against campaign finance reforms that will take effect in the middle of next year. As ever, the plaintiffs hope the court will deem the measures inconsistent with an implied constitutional right to freedom of political communication.
Source:The Guardian
December 25, 2025 23:06 UTC
Search called off for two swimmers missing in choppy seas off Devon
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 22:13 UTC
Late night thoughts on Sky’s Amadeus remake
Late night thoughts on Sky’s Amadeus remake Daily Comfort Zonenorman lebrecht December 25, 2025It seemed the perfect watch for a freezing Christmas Eve, cosier than tutti. I had seen the original Peter Shaeffer play at the National Theatre and the Milos Forman film of 1984. The Salieri vs Mozart plot goes all the way back to a Pushkin poem. It has less talent than poor old Salieri, confessing his plan to kill Mozart with his dying breath. Hello magazine tells us that ‘viewers have wasted no time giving their verdict on the series, hailing it as “amazing” and “superb”‘.
Source:The Guardian
December 25, 2025 21:39 UTC
Retailers Anticipate Surge in Boxing Day Sales Boosting Market Revenue Significantly
Renewed Enthusiasm for Boxing Day Sales Expected to Generate £3.8bn for UK RetailersUK shoppers are projected to spend £3.8 billion this Boxing Day, marking a 2% increase from last year. This trend supports higher spending on household items in the Boxing Day sales. Consumer intentions show that 44% plan to visit high streets from Boxing Day onwards. High street sales face pressure as many large retailers, including John Lewis, Aldi, Poundland, B&Q, Next, and significant Marks & Spencer locations, remain closed on Boxing Day. Disruptions in public transport services around this time can also hinder footfall, affecting the start of the post-Christmas sales rush.
Source:The Guardian
December 25, 2025 20:49 UTC
Arc Raiders down? Thousands affected during holiday season, here’s how to troubleshoot connection issues
SynopsisArc Raiders, the popular extraction shooter, is currently facing major server problems. Hundreds of players are unable to log in or connect to matches. The issues began on December 25, 2025, impacting PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S users. Developer Embark Studios is working on a fix. Players are advised to check official channels for updates.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 20:49 UTC
Daisy Cooper’s Christmas Carol
Now the conventional thinking is that when you get a new Government they do the really big stuff in the first year because it’s unpopular and difficult, but they’ve been given permission by the electorate. “For the last year, [the Government] has been using the word ‘lower’, but when people’s bills arrived they said ‘higher’. St Albans MP Daisy CooperSo are things finally turning a corner for the SEND service locally after years of failings? I am very, very, very motivated to stop that from ever happening.”St Albans MP Daisy CooperSo to return to the Christmas Carol theme once more, what needs to change to stop that future from coming true? “Here in St Albans, I would just really, really, really like life to just get easier for folk.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 20:41 UTC
Zelensky appears to wish for Putin’s death in Christmas Eve speech
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 19:56 UTC
Beckhams’ Christmas snaps are full of cheer, but no Brooklyn
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 19:34 UTC
Leeds United transfer news: Calvert-Lewin gets partner and star leaves in dream window
Leeds United are gearing up for a tough second half of the seasonLeeds United are bracing themselves for a challenging January transfer window as they battle to maintain their Premier League status. Impressive performances this campaign include holding reigning champions Liverpool to a 3-3 draw and thrashing FA Cup winners Crystal Palace 4-1. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTHowever, should Leeds wish to bring in reinforcements, player departures may prove necessary to facilitate any incoming business. Here, the Express Sport has mapped out what an ideal January transfer window might look like for the club. Statement signing While Dominic Calvert-Lewin has impressed with seven strikes in 16 outings, Leeds may require additional attacking options.
Source:Express
December 25, 2025 19:34 UTC
How gas from sprouts could heat your home
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 18:21 UTC
Young girl left crying at Winter Wonderland by Santa's elves
Courtney, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, said: "I expected it to be busy but I didn’t expect it to be as busy as it was. "It was advertised that Santa's Grotto would be open until 6pm but we got there at about 3pm and the staff said 'Santa's had enough'. Courtney has now forked out £35 to take the kids to a local grotto after Harlie-Mae branded her day at Winter Wonderland "rubbish". A statement from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland reads: “Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s priority is the safety of all our visitors. The family left disappointed by Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 17:07 UTC
Obedient Virgin Mary is a lesson to feminists, says archbishop
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 15:09 UTC
British online campaigner vows to fight US deportation threat
WE’VE SANCTIONED: Imran Ahmed, key collaborator with the Biden Administration’s effort to weaponize the government against U.S. citizens. “That mission has pitted me against big tech executives – and Elon Musk in particular – multiple times. Instead of spending Christmas with his wife and child, he has been forced to spend the holiday fighting to prevent his unlawful deportation. Mr Ahmed has links to senior Labour figures, having worked as an adviser to now-Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn during his time as shadow foreign secretary. Mr Rubio said: “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose.
Source:The Times
December 25, 2025 15:08 UTC