Lizzie Edmonds

Labour MP Chris Hinchliff has urged the UK to prepare for the potentially severe consequences of an intensifying super El Niño, including disruptions to global food supplies, economic effects, droughts, extreme rainfall, storms and flooding. He called for action through the Climate and Nature Security Taskforce, while the World Meteorological Organization warned that the phenomenon could contribute to higher global temperatures and a particularly wet UK winter.

Demand for protective solar eclipse glasses has led to large queues and shortages across the UK, including in London, Cornwall and St Ives, with some shoppers travelling long distances to find them. Experts warned people not to look directly at the Sun without certified glasses and suggested safer alternatives such as pinhole cameras.

Gary Windass appears ready to confess to his involvement in covering up Theo Silverton’s death. He has spent months protecting Sarah Platt after she struck Theo with scaffolding, concealed evidence and allowed his wife Maria Connor to suspect an affair. The latest episode ends with Gary arriving at a police station, suggesting the long-running storyline is approaching a major turning point.

Russia is set to relinquish control of Syria’s Hmeimem air base and the commercial berth at Tartus port, converting the facilities into joint Syrian-Russian training centres. The agreement follows roughly 18 months of negotiations and the December 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad, who received asylum in Russia. Syria’s new leadership is seeking to preserve ties with Moscow while also improving relations with the United States, Europe and neighbouring Arab states.

A Russian soldier in Crimea allegedly opened fire on fellow servicemembers and civilians in the village of Khmelnytske, killing one colleague and three civilians and wounding at least four others. The attacker was arrested, while authorities said the motive and full circumstances remained unclear. The report places the incident within the wider Russia-Ukraine war, noting Crimea’s militarization, Ukrainian strikes, Russian and Ukrainian drone activity, and attacks on Wildberries facilities that have reportedly caused further casualties.

A 37-year-old British man charged with negligence after his three-year-old son died in a fall from a fourth-floor hotel window in Paphos has been allowed to return to the UK for the funeral. Cyprus authorities lifted his travel restrictions for one month, but he must return by 15 September to face the charges or risk a European arrest warrant. He had previously been released on a €20,000 bond and required to surrender his passport and report weekly to police.

Jingye Group is seeking compensation from the UK government for losses linked to the recent nationalisation of British Steel, arguing that the move damaged investor confidence and violated international investment principles. The UK has ordered an independent evaluation to determine whether compensation is warranted, saying the takeover protects jobs and safeguards domestic steel supply for strategic industries. China’s Foreign Ministry warned that London’s handling of the case will influence Chinese investor confidence and urged respect for market principles while both sides engage in negotiations.

A major residential fire in Drammen, southern Norway, has destroyed more than 100 homes and forced hundreds of evacuations. More than 80 firefighters and helicopters are battling the blaze, which has spread to nearby forests and remains uncontrolled. No residents have been reported missing; the cause is unknown, though dry weather may have accelerated its spread.

A residential fire that began in a townhouse in Drammen, southern Norway, destroyed more than 100 homes, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and spread into nearby forests. More than 80 firefighters, helicopters and the Civil Defence worked to contain the blaze, which authorities described as the largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history. No residents were reported missing, but the fire remained out of control as dry, hot weather contributed to its rapid spread; the cause was not immediately known.

Officials confirmed the England–Argentina World Cup semi-final in Atlanta will proceed as scheduled despite a forecast of possible thunderstorms. Tournament rules require stoppage if lightning is detected within eight miles, but the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s retractable roof ensures the match can start as planned. Weather forecasts indicate light rain, high humidity and warm temperatures at kickoff.

Authorities classify the England–Argentina World Cup semi-final as the tournament’s highest‑risk match due to historic tensions between the nations. The FBI, FIFA and local police coordinate measures such as separate fan entry points and expanded police deployment in Atlanta. The rivalry’s link to the Falklands dispute is noted, while Atlanta police increase security around the stadium and team accommodations.

China’s Tianwen-2 probe has photographed the quasi-satellite Kamo’oalewa after travelling about one billion kilometres and approaching within 20 kilometres of the object. The 16–20-metre-wide asteroid will be studied for nearly a year before the probe attempts to collect a sample and return it to Earth.

The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Indiana Fever 106–92, ending a three-game losing streak. Nneka Ogwumike led Los Angeles with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Rae Burrell scored 22 and Dearica Hamby added 21 points and nine rebounds. Caitlin Clark returned for Indiana after missing two games but played only 15:39 and scored nine points; Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 29 points. Indiana also played without Aliyah Boston because of a leg injury.

Archaeologists excavating the Don Yai Thong site in Thailand’s Phetchaburi province discovered two gold rings dating back about 2,000 years alongside human remains. One ring bears a Brahmi inscription interpreted as “the one protected by Pushya,” while the other is a plain gold band; experts believe they may have belonged to a wealthy merchant from the Vaishya caste. The site, uncovered after residents found ancient bronze drums, has also yielded eight skeletons, jewelry, pottery and other artifacts suggesting ceremonial burials of elites. Excavations are expected to finish within a month, after which the finds may be displayed publicly.

Woolley Grange is a recently refurbished Jacobean manor hotel near Bradford-on-Avon that is particularly well suited to families. It offers complimentary daily childcare, supervised activities, child-friendly dining, playgrounds, a cinema room, swimming facilities and spa treatments, alongside varied rooms including family suites. Service is excellent and the accommodation is comfortable, though the main food menu becomes repetitive and lacks flair; afternoon tea is a standout. The hotel also welcomes dogs and provides accessible facilities, making it a strong choice for families but unsuitable for couples seeking a romantic escape.

A charity football match at London Stadium raised a record £16.4 million for Unicef as England defeated World XI 3-2. Damson Idris scored with a standout finish, GK Barry went viral for missing a pass during a celebration, and Toy Story actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen delivered the match ball. Wayne Rooney and Angry Ginge lifted the trophy presented by Olivia Colman.

WHO-led experts are scheduled to assess vaccine options for a major outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak has reportedly caused 131 suspected deaths and 500 cases, prompting public-health emergency declarations from the WHO and Africa CDC. No approved vaccine or treatment specifically targets this strain; Ervebo, developed for the Ebola Zaire strain, is being considered because animal studies suggest it may offer some protection.

The Grove in Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, is presented as a luxurious countryside hotel suited to families, couples and golf enthusiasts seeking an easy escape from London. Its strengths include the extensive grounds, Glasshouse buffet restaurant, family-friendly services, activities, championship golf course and Sequoia Spa. Rooms are functional and well equipped, though the standard West Wing rooms are considered lacking in personality for their £300-plus nightly price. Service is generally attentive, but housekeeping was slow to resolve issues. The hotel offers accessible rooms, dog-friendly accommodation and extensive children’s facilities, although some activities are seasonal and children are excluded from the spa.

A morning briefing highlights the reported death of Soham child killer Ian Huntley after a prison attack, Iran's president apologising to Gulf states while rejecting Donald Trump's call to surrender, renewed pressure in Canada to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession, developments after Max Verstappen's crash at the Australian Grand Prix, and NASA's successful DART asteroid-orbit experiment.

The briefing highlights Donald Trump’s record-breaking State of the Union address and his confrontational exchanges with hecklers, including criticism of Democrats. It also previews a 7 per cent reduction in the UK energy price cap, the start of a new Electronic Travel Authorisation requirement for most overseas visitors, a Tourette’s campaigner’s response to a Bafta-related racial slur incident, and signs of improvement in the housing market through a projected 6 per cent rise in February listings.

The briefing reports that Peter Mandelson was released on bail after his arrest; New Zealand joined Australia in supporting Andrew’s removal from the line of succession; a baby became the first in the UK to be born following a womb transplant; schools were urged to consider inset-week scheduling to help families secure cheaper holidays; and bots were reportedly promoting Nicki Minaj’s pro-Trump social-media posts.

Recommendations for group holidays involving families with young children compare Airbnb rentals, Center Parcs resorts, family‑friendly hotels, apartment hotels and spa hotels, noting key benefits such as childcare options, affordability, facilities and flexibility, alongside drawbacks including cost, lack of childcare in some options and limited food preparation choices.

Maggie O’Farrell, born in Northern Ireland in 1972, is the award‑winning author of Hamnet, recently adapted for screen and honored at the Golden Globes. Her early experience with encephalitis shaped her passion for literature, later reflected in her memoir I Am, I Am, I Am. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a journalist in Hong Kong and for The Independent on Sunday in London.

Irish actor Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Drama at the Golden Globes for playing Agnes Hathaway in the film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, which also won Best Motion Picture Drama. The piece outlines Buckley’s early career on the BBC talent show I’d Do Anything and notes her marriage to Freddie, a mental health worker, and the couple’s daughter, born in 2025. Buckley has discussed balancing rising fame with family life and caring for her young child.

Lizzie Edmonds reviews the Thule Maple infant car seat and its separately sold Alfi ISOFIX base after using them for about 12 months. The system is lightweight, comfortable and exceptionally easy to install, with audible and visual indicators that confirm correct fitting. However, the seat is expensive when combined with the base, uses less luxurious materials, has a fiddly spin button and is outgrown by most children at around 12–15 months. It is judged to be a solid, safe choice, though competing seats may offer better value and longer use.

Calcot Manor & Spa is presented as an exceptionally family-friendly luxury hotel near Tetbury in the Cotswolds. The property offers spacious family suites, attentive staff, extensive childcare through its Ofsted-registered Playbarn, children’s activities, adult-focused dining and a highly praised spa. Its main drawbacks are its distance from central Tetbury and the high prices at The Brasserie; it is best suited to parents seeking a genuine break rather than visitors wanting a town-based stay.

Ronan Keating will host the BBC One and BBC iPlayer special “Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party” on Wednesday, December 31. The programme will reunite former Boyzone members Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch for their first performance together since 2019, alongside guests Shona McGarty, Calum Scott and Louise Redknapp. It will air in two parts, beginning at 11:30 p.m., resuming at 12:15 a.m. after the New Year’s Eve fireworks, and ending at 12:45 a.m.

A driver tests the Skoda Enyaq Coupe EV on a weekend road trip and finds it quiet, comfortable and capable of long distances with manageable charging stops. Modern charge‑point networks and apps make planning straightforward, though choosing among multiple charging services can still feel overwhelming. Charging proved quick and simple, reducing earlier concerns about running out of power. The overall driving experience, convenience and passenger reception were positive, highlighting the car’s strong performance and ease of use for family and leisure travel.

A culture news briefing reports the death of author Sophie Kinsella at 55 after an aggressive brain cancer diagnosis, Kieran Culkin’s appearance in a special Gogglebox episode, praise for a groundbreaking Turner Prize win, Beyoncé’s role as a 2026 Met Gala co-chair, and plans for the world’s first Dracula-themed theme park to open in 2027.

The Cybex Orfeo is tested during a holiday and in everyday use with two children. It is found to be lightweight, sturdy, easy to assemble and fold, comfortable, secure and simple to manoeuvre on typical travel and urban surfaces. Its main weaknesses are a small sun hood that does not adequately block sunlight in the lie-flat position and a somewhat untidy folded shape. Despite these drawbacks, the review concludes that the Orfeo is a strong travel pram and a practical compact everyday buggy.

Bernie Kerik, the New York City police commissioner during the September 11, 2001 attacks, has died at 69 following what Kash Patel described as a private illness. Kerik, an Army veteran appointed by Rudy Giuliani, later pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and false-statement charges, served three years in prison, and was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2020. Giuliani paid an emotional tribute, describing Kerik as a brother and praising his courage and strength.

Lindian Village All-Inclusive Resort is a sprawling, family-oriented property on the rural southern side of Rhodes, about 13km from Lindos. The resort offers spacious, flexible rooms, several pools, a private pebbly beach, multiple restaurants, a spa and childcare for different age groups. Staff are described as exceptionally welcoming, and the kids’ clubs are a major strength for parents seeking a relaxing break. Dining is varied but generally competent rather than exceptional. Some rooms experienced brown water and unreliable hot water during the resort’s first week of the 2025 season, while the beach could use better maintenance. It is best suited to families wanting an easy all-inclusive resort holiday rather than visitors focused on exploring Rhodes’ culture.

Nineteen-year-old business student James Eid donated more than 3,000 disposable face coverings to The Felix Project, which distributes food to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by his grandmother’s vulnerability to infection, Eid launched Signature Masks after importing production equipment, opening a factory in Dunstable, and planning initial production of 36,000 masks per week with capacity to reach 500 million annually. The donation is intended to protect the charity’s staff and volunteers.

Bread n Butter, working with Stonegrove Community Trust and the Hive Trust and supported by The Felix Project, is cooking and delivering more than 1,000 nutritious meals each day to vulnerable Londoners in Barnet, Enfield and Brent. Four volunteers describe how furlough, unemployment, autism, eating difficulties, immigration and social isolation led them to join the project, which provided purpose, routine, cooking skills and a sense of community during the pandemic. The piece also promotes a Help The Hungry auction of Sir Peter Blake’s artwork to raise funds for hunger-relief groups.

Celebrities including Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley encouraged bidding on sections of Sir Peter Blake’s large-scale artwork Our Fans, originally displayed on the Mandarin Oriental hotel, to raise funds for Help the Hungry. The mural, divided into 100 signed pieces featuring various famous faces, will support The Felix Project and the fundraising campaign. Contributors expressed admiration for the artwork’s repurposing and its charitable purpose.

A donation of 10,000 Virustatic Shield face coverings to The Felix Project supports London’s vulnerable as part of the Help The Hungry campaign. The coverings, produced by Cookson & Clegg and featuring antiviral technology, are distributed alongside food to charities and individuals in need. Volunteers and charity workers highlight their importance for safety, while Patrick Grant emphasizes the broader effort to encourage community-made coverings and preserve medical-grade PPE for frontline workers.

Sections of Sir Peter Blake’s large Our Fans mural, originally displayed over London’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, are being auctioned on Bidsquare to raise money for The Felix Project and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Each of the 100 signed fragments features a famous face, with bids starting at £325 and the auction closing at midnight on 26 June. The initiative was developed by London Advertising with support from Blake, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Independent’s Help The Hungry campaign.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, food deliveries from The Felix Project and partner charities provided vital support to vulnerable London residents who struggled to shop, including people with respiratory conditions, diabetes and HIV. Former music manager John McIntyre relied on daily meals from Made In Hackney, while former actor Stephen Hart volunteered to deliver food through River House Trust despite his own chronic illness. The deliveries offered reassurance and helped shielded people maintain access to food, prompting The Independent to encourage donations to hunger-relief efforts.

Older London residents describe the loneliness, anxiety and practical difficulties caused by coronavirus lockdown and self-isolation. Made in Hackney, using food supplied by The Felix Project, delivers hundreds of nutritious meals each day to vulnerable people, including many over 70, while volunteers also provide regular welfare checks. Beneficiaries say the service has helped them access food, cope with dietary and cooking challenges, and feel less isolated. The charity is fundraising to continue its work beyond its planned end date.

Teenage volunteers from South Acton, alongside youth worker Colin Brent and furloughed travel worker Caroline Maber, are sorting food and essential supplies for vulnerable families during the coronavirus crisis. The local operation, supplied by The Felix Project, has expanded from delivering 30 boxes a week at the end of March to almost 1,000 across the estate and nearby areas, including food, nappies, sanitary products and soap. The volunteers’ efforts contrast with the negative perceptions often associated with young people from the estate and demonstrate the importance of community support during lockdown.

Vulnerable families, NHS workers and low‑income households describe food deliveries supplied by The Felix Project as essential support during the Covid‑19 crisis. Demand has surged, with the charity increasing output to more than 100,000 meals a day and partnering with schools, food banks and community groups across London. Personal testimonies highlight relief, improved wellbeing and the crucial role of volunteers and local organisations in addressing rising food insecurity.

Pupils at London’s Frances Barber Pupil Referral Unit exchanged music, letters and artwork with children in Bangui through The Independent and Evening Standard’s Learn to Live campaign with War Child. After hearing songs by Central African rapper MC Fonctionnaire about peace and girls’ education, 12-year-old Dylan wrote and performed a rap inspired by children’s experiences of conflict and poverty. The CAR pupils responded warmly, while teachers said the project had expanded the London students’ global perspective, creativity and empathy.

London pupils partnered with students in the Central African Republic through the Learn to Live campaign, exchanging rap music, letters and artwork to build cultural understanding. Inspired by songs from CAR artist MC Fonctionnaire, a London student wrote and shared his own rap, which received warm responses from the Bangui group. Teachers noted that the project broadened students’ perspectives, increased empathy and strengthened global awareness.

London schoolgirls participating in The Independent’s Learn to Live campaign expressed admiration for Haya, a Syrian refugee preparing to address the UN, describing her as inspirational and noting how her experiences highlighted the privileges they enjoy. Their video conversation covered daily life, ambitions and shared similarities, prompting reflections on gratitude and motivation while offering deeper personal insight into life affected by conflict.

Two British rowers attempting solo Pacific crossings abandoned their efforts after Tropical Storm Mawar damaged their boats, prompting mayday calls and coordinated rescue operations by the Japanese coastguard. Distress signals from their emergency beacons were tracked in the UK and relayed to Japan, where aircraft and vessels were deployed. Both sailors, Sarah Outen and Charlie Martell, experienced severe conditions, with Martell’s vessel suffering structural damage from repeated capsizing, but both remain safe while awaiting rescue.