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TUC Urges Starmer Not to Rule Out EU Customs Union to Boost Growth

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The head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Paul Nowak, has urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to keep the option of an EU customs union open as part of efforts to revive the UK economy. Speaking to the BBC, Nowak said the UK needs the “closest possible economic and political relationship” with the European Union, warning that public trust in mainstream politics could erode further if living standards do not improve.

Although Starmer has pledged to reset relations with Brussels, he has ruled out rejoining the EU single market or customs union, citing concerns that it could undermine recent trade deals with countries such as the US and India. Nowak, however, argued that Brexit has contributed to higher prices and trade barriers, particularly affecting industries like aerospace, automotive and steel. He said the government should “rule nothing out” and carefully assess all options to strengthen ties with the UK’s largest trading partner.

Nowak also stressed the importance of delivering fully on the government’s Employment Rights Act to improve job security and living standards, warning that failure to act decisively could push voters away from Labour. With polling showing financial insecurity among many households, he said economic improvement — not rhetoric on immigration — was key to countering political discontent and restoring faith in democratic politics.

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Jokic Shatters Curry’s Record with Historic Christmas Day Triple-Double

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Nikola Jokic delivered a historic performance on Christmas Day, recording a stunning 56-point triple-double to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The three-time MVP added 16 rebounds and 15 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to post at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game.

Jokic also broke a long-standing NBA record by scoring 18 points in overtime, surpassing Stephen Curry’s previous mark of 17 set in 2016. His dominance in the extra period proved decisive after the Timberwolves forced overtime by erasing a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards impressed with 44 points, including the clutch three-pointer that sent the game into overtime. However, his night ended early after he was ejected during the extra period following an argument over foul calls. With the win, Denver remains third in the Western.

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Kyiv Targeted by Russian Strikes Ahead of Zelensky’s Peace Meeting with Trump

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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine on Saturday, coinciding with heightened security measures ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert as explosions were heard in the capital, prompting air defense units to intercept incoming missiles and drones. No immediate reports of damage or power outages were recorded.

The attacks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalize a U.S.-backed 20-point peace plan aimed at halting the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky emphasized that his discussions with Trump would focus on territorial control, including the contested Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as security guarantees. Kyiv seeks legally binding provisions to prevent future Russian aggression, while a free economic zone is proposed for certain areas under U.S. compromise.

Additional issues include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the eastern Donbas region, both key points of contention in the negotiations. Russia’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, engaged with U.S. officials after Moscow received American proposals for a possible peace deal, although Russia has not publicly disclosed its stance on the documents. Both sides continue dialogue as efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict move forward.

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Putin Engages with U.S. on Ukraine Peace Proposals, Kremlin Confirms

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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy aide held discussions with members of the U.S. administration after Moscow received American proposals for a possible Ukrainian peace deal, the Kremlin confirmed on December 26. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the proposals, brought to Moscow by Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev following a weekend meeting in Miami, are being carefully analysed, and dialogue between Russian and U.S. representatives will continue.

While Peskov did not disclose details of the conversations, he noted that public comments on the documents could undermine ongoing negotiations. Reports suggest that Putin may be open to swapping some territory controlled by Russian forces in Ukraine, but he remains firm on retaining the entire Donbas region. Discussions at a State Council meeting touched on the peace proposals in general terms without further specifics.

The engagement marks a continuation of diplomatic communication between Russia and the United States amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasized that analysis of the U.S. proposals is underway, and both sides have agreed to maintain dialogue to explore potential pathways toward a resolution.

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Europe Condemns US Visa Bans Targeting Anti-Disinformation Advocates

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The European Union, along with France and Germany, strongly condemned U.S. visa bans on five European citizens, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who have been involved in combating online hate and disinformation. Washington accused them of censoring free speech and imposing undue restrictions on U.S. tech companies, a move that European officials described as unjustified and an infringement on Europe’s legislative autonomy. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of protecting Europe’s independence and the freedom of its citizens.

Breton, who helped design the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), faced particular scrutiny from the Trump administration. The DSA requires tech companies to tackle illegal content such as hate speech and child sexual abuse material, but the U.S. argued it unfairly targets American platforms and citizens. Previous disputes, including fines against Elon Musk’s X platform, have heightened tensions between Brussels and Washington over internet regulation and freedom of expression.

The visa bans also affected activists from the U.K. and Germany, with both countries expressing support and solidarity. German authorities called the bans unacceptable, noting that digital rules are determined in Europe, not Washington. British and international organizations described the U.S. actions as authoritarian and an attack on free speech, while the EU signaled it may respond decisively to what it views as a coercive measure undermining democratic norms.

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Ukraine, US Hold Christmas Day Talks to Advance Peace Deal

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a “very good” conversation on Christmas Day with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as negotiations toward a possible peace deal with Russia continued. Zelensky said the talks covered substantive aspects of the negotiations and generated new ideas aimed at achieving “real peace,” describing the engagement as constructive and timely. Senior Ukrainian officials, including Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, also participated in the discussions.

Zelensky said further talks were planned between Umerov and the US representatives, stressing the importance of seizing every opportunity to move closer to a settlement. The diplomatic push comes amid gradual progress in US-led peace efforts, including recent meetings between Ukrainian, Russian, and American negotiators. Zelensky has outlined a 20-point framework for ending the war, which includes troop withdrawals, security guarantees involving the US and Europe, and the creation of a demilitarized zone in parts of eastern Ukraine.

Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting has continued on the ground. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Odesa, causing power outages and civilian damage, while Ukrainian forces have conducted drone and sabotage operations against Russian military targets. Russian officials say they are reviewing Ukraine’s proposals, though President Vladimir Putin has reiterated demands that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk. International figures, including Pope Leo, used Christmas messages to call for an end to the violence and renewed diplomatic engagement.

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Gold Heads for Best Year Since 1979 as Crises and Central Bank Buying Fuel Rally

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Gold is on track for its strongest annual performance since 1979, with futures in New York surging nearly 71% in 2025. Prices have climbed from around $2,640 an ounce at the start of the year to above $4,500, driven by global uncertainty ranging from trade distortions and geopolitical conflicts to inflation risks and currency volatility. Analysts say investors are flocking to gold as a safe haven, echoing conditions last seen during the late-1970s energy crisis under former US president Jimmy Carter.

Expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and a weaker dollar have further boosted gold’s appeal, as lower bond yields make non-yielding assets more attractive. Gold’s gains have far outpaced equities, with the S&P 500 up about 18% this year. Major banks such as JPMorgan Chase expect prices to continue rising, forecasting gold could cross $5,000 an ounce in 2026 if current trends persist.

A key driver behind gold’s rally has been aggressive buying by central banks, led by China, as countries seek to reduce dependence on the US dollar and Treasury assets. Central banks have added more than 1,000 tonnes of gold annually over the past three years, well above historical averages. The surge has also lifted other precious metals, with silver, platinum and palladium posting sharp gains, reinforcing gold’s role as a hedge in an increasingly uncertain global financial landscape.

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Pope Leo Highlights Gaza and Global Conflicts in First Christmas Sermon

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In his first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo made an unusually direct appeal regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asking how people could ignore Palestinians living in tents exposed to rain, wind, and cold. The U.S.-born pope, known for his quieter and diplomatic style, usually avoids political commentary in sermons, but he emphasized the plight of vulnerable populations worldwide, linking their suffering to the message of Jesus’ birth in a humble stable.

During the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, Leo also addressed broader global issues, calling for an end to wars and lamenting the destruction caused by conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. He highlighted the struggles of young people forced into combat and the ongoing humanitarian challenges, stressing the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and international support.

The pope’s remarks also extended to the homeless and migrants, reflecting his early papacy’s focus on caring for vulnerable communities. He reiterated that resolving long-standing conflicts, including the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian dispute, requires practical solutions such as the establishment of a Palestinian state, while urging all parties to work toward peace and humanitarian relief.

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Louvre Installs Security Bars After $102 Million Jewel Heist

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The Louvre museum in Paris has installed security bars on the balcony used by burglars in the October 19 heist that saw jewels worth an estimated $102 million stolen. The break-in, which lasted less than seven minutes, involved the thieves using a movers’ lift to access the Apollo gallery balcony, smashing a window, and escaping on scooters, highlighting serious gaps in the museum’s security.

The museum has stated that it is learning from the incident and is upgrading its security infrastructure. A crane was used to place the security grille on the balcony door, while additional measures include a mobile police squad stationed near the glass pyramid and plans to deploy 100 more cameras around the museum next year. Authorities have identified eight suspects, though the stolen jewels remain missing.

The heist exposed broader security and structural issues at the Louvre, including inadequate camera coverage of exterior walls and the balcony, alongside other challenges such as gallery closures, water damage to antiquities, and recent staff strikes. Officials emphasized that these improvements are part of a wider effort to transform and strengthen the museum’s security architecture to protect its priceless collections.

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US Bars Former EU Commissioner and Activists in Escalation Against European Tech Rules

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The United States has barred five European figures, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, from entering the country, accusing them of pressuring technology companies to censor or suppress American viewpoints. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the individuals led organised efforts to coerce US platforms through regulations targeting disinformation, framing the move as a defence of free speech against foreign influence.

The visa bans are the latest step in the Trump administration’s pushback against European Union regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which seeks to curb hate speech and misinformation online. Washington argues that the law unfairly targets American companies and restricts free expression. Rubio described the actions of the targeted individuals and organisations as part of a broader campaign by “weaponised NGOs” and foreign states to impose censorship on US speakers and businesses.

Those named include Imran Ahmed of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, HateAid leaders Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, Global Disinformation Index head Clare Melford, and Breton, whom US officials labelled a key architect of the DSA. The move, which uses immigration law rather than sanctions, drew sharp criticism from those affected, with responses calling the decision authoritarian and an attack on free speech, even as European officials and activists warned of rising tensions over digital governance.

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