UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom was not involved in the United States’ recent military operation in Venezuela. The operation, conducted on Saturday, included bombings on several infrastructures and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Speaking to British journalists, Starmer clarified that he had not yet spoken with US President Donald Trump regarding Maduro’s detention.

Starmer emphasized that the UK had no role in the operation and reiterated that Britain should adhere to international law. When asked whether he would condemn the US action in Venezuela, he said he would first speak with President Trump before making any further comment.

The statement comes amid heightened international attention following the US military intervention and the detention of Maduro, with the UK seeking to distance itself from the operation while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Washington.

The UK Met Office has confirmed that 2025 was the warmest and one of the sunniest years in the country's recorded history. According to the agency, the record reflects the clear impact of human-induced climate change. Based on data dating back to 1884, 2025 now ranks among the top three warmest years alongside 2022 and 2023, with an average annual temperature of 10.09 degrees Celsius. It was only the second time the UK’s annual average temperature exceeded 10 degrees Celsius, the first being in 2022.

The Met Office noted that four of the five warmest years since 1884 have occurred within the past five years, and all ten warmest years have been recorded in the last two decades. In addition to temperature, 2025 also set a new record for sunshine, with 1,648.5 hours of sunlight—the highest since records began in 1910 and 61.4 hours more than the previous record set in 2003.

Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office’s climate attribution division, said the findings align with expectations from human-driven climate change and that global warming continues to influence the UK’s climate.

Khalistan supporters disrupted a protest organized by Hindutva activists outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Saturday. The protest had been arranged in response to reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. During the demonstration, the Khalistani group chanted anti-India slogans and displayed their flags, effectively halting the event. A brief scuffle occurred between Paramjit Singh Pamma, coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, and an Indian Hindu protester.

Metropolitan Police officers quickly intervened, separating the individuals involved and dispersing both groups from the area surrounding the mission building. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Manu Khajuria of the UK Insight Group described the actions of the Khalistani extremists as surprising, saying they attempted to silence voices advocating for minority rights and harmony.

Tension erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Sunday during a protest organized to express solidarity with minorities. The demonstration saw a confrontation between pro-Khalistan Sikh activists from ‘Sikhs for Justice’ and supporters of British Indian Hindu groups aligned with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The protest, centered on allegations of killings of Hindus in Bangladesh, turned heated as both sides exchanged slogans and shoves before Metropolitan Police intervened to separate them and restore order.

During the protest, pro-Khalistan participants displayed flags and chanted anti-India slogans, accusing the Indian government of involvement in the deaths of Sikh leaders. Prominent Sikh activist Paramjit Singh Pamma, coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, confronted Hindu demonstrators and later claimed that India persecutes Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians while attempting to deflect human rights criticism toward Bangladesh. Indian security agencies list Pamma as a “most wanted terrorist,” though he maintains that no British court has convicted him or acted on any Indian extradition request.

The incident occurred amid strained India-Bangladesh relations following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and recent violent incidents in Dhaka involving Hindu and student victims.

Posters declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'wanted' have appeared across London’s buses, streets, and busy public areas. According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, pro-Palestinian groups in the United Kingdom organized the campaign. The posters highlight Netanyahu’s alleged role in war crimes and genocide in Gaza and reference an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024.

The ICC warrant was issued over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip. The report states that Israeli military operations over the past two years have killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israeli attacks reportedly continued.

The campaign reflects ongoing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and renewed calls for accountability following the ICC’s legal move against Netanyahu.

The United Kingdom has imposed visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing the country's refusal to take back illegal migrants and criminal offenders. The British Home Office announced the decision in a statement issued on Saturday night, noting that the move follows Congo’s failure to meet cooperation requirements. Under the new restrictions, fast-track visa services for Congolese citizens will be suspended, and VIPs and politicians from Congo will no longer receive priority services.

The Home Office said the measure marks the first major change under Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s recently launched immigration reform program, which aims to make refugee status temporary and accelerate the deportation of undocumented migrants. The statement also mentioned that Angola and Namibia have agreed to strengthen efforts to repatriate their citizens, though none of the three countries immediately commented on the issue.

Mahmood warned that if Congo does not improve cooperation, the UK could impose a complete visa ban. She thanked Angola and Namibia for their collaboration and urged Congo to act responsibly by repatriating its nationals.

Swedish climate and human rights activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London on December 23 after joining a pro-Palestinian demonstration organized by Palestine Action. The protest took place outside Aspen Insurance’s office, where Thunberg was seen holding a placard expressing solidarity with imprisoned activists and opposing what she described as genocide.

London City Police confirmed that a 22-year-old woman was detained for displaying material supporting a banned organization, though they did not name Thunberg directly. The UK government outlawed Palestine Action in July 2025, citing its involvement in disruptive protests targeting companies linked to Israel. Since the ban, hundreds of demonstrators have reportedly been arrested under similar charges.

Thunberg’s detention adds to her growing record of civil disobedience in environmental and human rights causes. The incident is expected to reignite debate over the UK’s protest laws and their impact on freedom of expression, especially in politically sensitive contexts involving international conflicts.

Manchester City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League with a commanding 3–0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice, in the 5th and 69th minutes, while Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders added another to seal the win. City controlled 66% of possession, registering 17 shots with eight on target, reflecting their attacking dominance under Pep Guardiola.

The match marked another milestone for Haaland, who surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Premier League goal tally, reaching 104 goals—one more than Ronaldo’s 103—despite playing 122 fewer matches. The Norwegian striker also reached 200 goal contributions across Europe’s top five leagues, combining 166 goals and 35 assists. His season total now stands at 19 goals.

With this win, City moved to 37 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. West Ham’s struggles continued under Nuno Espírito Santo, losing 10 of their 17 league fixtures so far.

A large digital billboard campaign in central London has drawn attention for accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of atrocities during the Sudanese civil war. The campaign, organized by U.S.-based nonprofit Avaaz, uses AI-generated imagery showing a woman taking a selfie in Dubai, juxtaposed with war-torn Sudan in the reflection, carrying the caption: “Your selfie won’t look so good if you knew what they’re doing in Sudan.”

The billboard, projected on a moving van and looping every 80 seconds, includes a QR code linking to investigative reports from outlets such as *Middle East Eye*, *The Guardian*, and *The New York Times*. Passersby in London expressed surprise at the UAE’s alleged involvement, with some saying the campaign changed their perception of Dubai. The UAE has denied arming the RSF, calling related media reports fabricated, but analysts cite flight data, weapons serial numbers, and diplomatic sources suggesting ongoing Emirati support.

The campaign underscores growing international scrutiny of the UAE’s regional military activities and its potential implications for diplomatic relations with Western allies.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has apologized to his teammates following controversial comments he made after being dropped from the squad earlier this month. The Egyptian star had publicly criticized the club and head coach Arne Slot after a 1–1 draw with Leeds United on December 6, expressing frustration over being blamed for the team’s poor start to the season and uncertainty about his future at Anfield.

Midfielder Curtis Jones confirmed Salah’s apology in an interview with Sky Sports, saying the 33-year-old spoke to the entire squad to express regret if his words had hurt anyone. Jones emphasized that the dressing room remains united and that Salah’s gesture reflected his character and leadership.

The incident comes amid Liverpool’s efforts to stabilize their Premier League campaign under new management. Salah’s apology is seen as a positive step toward maintaining team cohesion as the club seeks to recover form and address internal challenges in the second half of the season.

The European Union has designated seven countries—Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as 'safe countries of origin,' marking a major shift in its asylum policy. Under the new framework, asylum applications from these nations will no longer receive the same priority and will likely face higher rejection rates unless applicants can individually prove a credible threat to their safety. The decision, announced on International Migrants Day, follows the EU’s broader asylum system reform approved in 2024.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move as an attempt to sidestep international legal obligations and endanger vulnerable migrants. Critics such as French MP Mélissa Camara and the Danish Refugee Council warned that the policy could lead to unmonitored deportation centers and increased risks of mistreatment. EU officials, however, argue that the classification will streamline migration management and strengthen border control.

The new asylum and migration pact is set to take effect in June 2026. The EU has indicated that the list may expand further, depending on future legislative reviews and geopolitical assessments.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan worth $105 billion over the next two years. The decision, announced by European Council President António Costa, aims to support Ukraine’s defense and budget needs without relying on frozen Russian assets. The financing will instead be raised from capital markets and secured against the EU budget, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the EU, noting that the funds will help cover Kyiv’s budget deficit and strengthen its defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement was reached after lengthy late-night negotiations on December 18, marking a significant show of unity among EU leaders.

By opting for market-based financing, the EU temporarily steps away from the contentious plan to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. Analysts say the move could ease internal divisions within the bloc while ensuring continued financial backing for Ukraine through 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the European Union to reduce its economic overdependence and strengthen its global competitiveness through a wider network of free trade agreements. Speaking in Brussels ahead of the European Council summit, she emphasized the strategic importance of finalizing the proposed trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, describing it as a gateway to a market of 700 million consumers.

However, the Mercosur agreement has sharply divided EU member states. France and Italy, led by Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, oppose the deal over concerns about environmental standards, agricultural safeguards, and regulatory clarity. Germany and Spain, in contrast, argue the pact would boost exports and diversify trade ties at a time of weak growth. Farmers’ unions across Europe have also voiced strong resistance, fearing cheap imports could undermine domestic producers.

Thousands of farmers were expected to protest in Brussels as leaders met, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the deal. The outcome of the summit may determine whether the EU can balance trade expansion with internal protectionist pressures.

British police have announced that individuals carrying placards or chanting slogans such as 'Globalize the Intifada' will face arrest. The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police issued a joint statement saying the move follows recent violent incidents targeting Jewish communities, including a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 16 people.

Authorities said the term 'intifada', historically linked to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, has become increasingly sensitive amid global tensions. The police cited community concerns about the slogan’s potential to incite hatred or violence. They also referenced an earlier stabbing at a Manchester synagogue that left two people dead.

Enhanced patrols and security measures have been deployed around places of worship, schools, and community centers in London and Manchester. Officials emphasized that while free expression remains protected, any speech perceived as promoting violence or communal unrest will be met with firm legal action.

The United Kingdom, long known for its cloudy and damp weather, experienced its sunniest year on record in 2025, according to the UK Met Office. By December 15, the country had recorded an average of 1,622 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. The agency attributed the unusual brightness to persistent high-pressure systems that reduced cloud cover and brought prolonged periods of clear skies, particularly during spring and summer.

The Met Office also confirmed that 2025 marked the warmest summer in UK history, with average temperatures reaching 16.10°C, exceeding the 2018 record of 15.76°C. While scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, the Met Office stated there is no clear evidence linking climate change to long-term increases in sunshine duration.

Officials noted that overall sunshine levels have been rising since the 1980s, though the exact cause remains uncertain. Possible explanations include natural variability and a reduction in atmospheric aerosols, which may have allowed more sunlight to reach the surface.