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Erling Haaland’s two goals in Manchester City’s victory over West Ham give him more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Erling Haaland’s two goals in Manchester City’s victory over West Ham give him more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Erling Haaland’s two goals in Manchester City’s victory over West Ham give him more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Erling Haaland's 2 in Man City win over West Ham gives him more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland reacts after missing a chance to score a goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham United in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo)

Erling Haaland continues to motor along at better than a goal a game for Manchester City in the Premier League. His latest victim was West Ham on Saturday.

The Norway striker scored in each half to move to 19 goals in 17 matches in this campaign and also set up Tijjani Reijnders’ goal in a 3-0 win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The victory lifted City into first place, a point ahead of Arsenal before the deposed leader’s match at Everton later Saturday.

Haaland has 38 goals in a combined 28 games for club and country in what is shaping up to be the most prolific season of his career.

Injury permitting, the season will end in him going to his first World Cup with Norway.

His double brought his total to 104 goals in the Premier League, which is one more than Cristiano Ronaldo has scored, despite Haaland having played 122 games fewer.

Haaland scored at the second attempt from Phil Foden’s cross to give City a fifth-minute lead and took advantage of a defensive mix-up to make it 3-0 in the 69th. In between, 

Haaland slipped a short pass to Reijnders.

Haaland slipped a short pass to Reijnders, who took a touch and rifled a shot into the roof of the net in the 38th. Woltemade’s Week: What a difference a week made for Nick Woltemade.

Last weekend, he scored an own goal to consign Newcastle to a derby loss at fierce rival Sunderland.

Six days later, he netted twice in the opening 20 minutes to give his team a quick start against Chelsea. Chelsea recovered, though, to draw 2-2, with Joao Pedro’s equaliser coming off a rare assist from a goalkeeper.

Robert Sanchez smashed a long clearance up to Pedro, who headed the ball forward and ended up collecting it himself after Fabian Schar slipped.

Pedro slotted a finish underneath Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to earn Chelsea a point in the 66th.

I wanted to give a stellar performance today, and I think I did,” Woltemade said. “I just want to say thank you to the fans for still being good with me.”

Reece James launched Chelsea’s fightback by curling a free kick in off the post after halftime. Chelsea stayed in fourth place and has won only one of its last five games in the league.

Newcastle, one of England’s representatives in the Champions League this season, languishes in midtable after winning only one of its last four games – and that was against next-to-last Burnley.

Last-placed Wolverhampton remains winless and has only two points after losing at home to Brentford 2-0.

The latest defeat meant Wolves tied Sheffield United’s 2020-21 record of 17 games without a win from the start of a Premier League season.

Keane Lewis-Potter scored both of Brentford’s goals in the second half. Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is reportedly a target of some of the Premier League’s biggest teams, including Manchester City and Manchester United, highlighting his value.

He underlined his worth by curling home his team’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, which ended its seven-match losing run on its tough return to the top flight.

Armando Broja grabbed Burnley’s equaliser in the 90th. Sunderland is doing much better since promotion. A 0-0 draw at Brighton put the northeast team in fifth place.

The remaining games on Saturday include Tottenham vs. Liverpool, Everton vs. Arsenal, and Leeds vs. Crystal Palace.



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Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Everything you need to know about American news

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Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Everything you need to know about American news

YouTube star Jake Paul will step into the ring with British heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in a highly anticipated (and highly criticised) boxing contest.

The event marks the end of a 14-month hiatus in Florida Joshua36, while for the 28-year-old Paul, this will be the biggest and potentially the most dangerous fight since the start of his boxing career in 2020.

Here’s everything you need to know, from the timing to who’s on the undercard and how to watch it.

What time is the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight?

The event is happening Friday, 19th December, at Miami’s Kasia Center – but the time difference means it’ll be a quick Saturday, 20th December For audiences in the UK.

it’s about to start around 8 pm local time, which means for In the UK, the main event will start at 1pm.

The ringwalk is set for Paul and Joshua 10.30pm local time, which is 3.30am in the UK.

Once in the ring, the fight will consist of eight three-minute rounds using regulation 10 oz gloves.

Paul vs Joshua. Photos: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images/Ahmed Yosri/Reuters
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The fighters in question are Paul and Joshua. Photos: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images/Ahmed Yosri/Reuters

Who’s on the undercard?

• Alicia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin – Unified Super-Featherweight World Championship

• Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley —a six-round cruiserweight

• Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes – six-round super-featherweight

The preliminary fights, which begin at 4.45pm local time and 9.45pm UK time, include:

• Cherneka Johnson vs. Amanda Gale – Undisputed Bantamweight Championship

• Caroline Dubois vs. Camila Panatta – WBC Lightweight World Championship

• Yocasta Vale vs. Yadira Bustillos – WBC Strawweight World Championship

• Avious Griffin vs. Justin Cardona – Welterweight

• Keno Marley vs. Daira Davis Jr – Cruiserweight

how to watch it

The main event will stream live on Netflix, with no additional purchases or pay-per-view required.

Just a subscription to the streaming service is required.

How do Paul and Joshua compare

card visualization

What happened during weighing?

Britain’s two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua will hold an almost two-stone lead over Paul, who has regularly fought at cruiserweight since entering the boxing world.

At the official weigh-in on 18 December, Joshua came in at 17 st 5 lbs (243.4 lbs) to Paul’s 15 st 6 lbs (216 lbs) – a huge difference of 1.9 st.

Joshua, who cannot weigh more than 245 lbs, is the lightest he has been since his first fight against Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, when he weighed 240 lbs. He weighed in at 252.5 lbs for his last fight against Daniel Dubois.

Photo: Reuters
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Photo: Reuters

This bout is only the second time Paul has weighed in over the cruiserweight limit – the other time being when he fought 58-year-old Mike Tyson.

“I’m going to beat this kid; I’m just going to beat him,” Joshua said at an event in Miami. When the pair raised their fists at each other, they ignored the confrontation.

“I’m a serious fighter; that’s the difference. I’m a serious, serious fighter.”

Joshua is expected to score a knockdown during his fight against Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Photo: Reuters
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Joshua is expected to score a knockdown during his fight against Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Photo: Reuters

Paul exclaimed that he was “dialled in” as he flexed his muscles on stage. He said he told Joshua he smelt fear.

“I see something in her eyes, I really do,” he said.

“The pressure is on him. I’m fighting free; I’ve already won. “It’s a situation where he stands to lose.”

Why was the fight criticised?

Given that Paul’s 13-fight career has primarily involved former UFC stars or faded boxing greats, this contest and Joshua’s involvement have caused a reaction in the boxing world.

One of the individuals who spoke out was Tyson Fury, a British former world champion, whom fans want to see face Joshua in a heavyweight fight.

‘This could be their last day on Earth.’

In a post on social media, Fury called Joshua a “classless loser” for agreeing to fight Paul.

He stated, “He’s facing a 37-year-old YouTuber nearing the end of his career, a man from the Disney Channel, whom Tommy (Fury) defeated.”

“After 15 months of knockout defeat to a local boy, you’re a classless loser.” Imagine someone from Morecambe knocking me out.”

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in 2024. Picture: Kevin Jayaraj-Imagen/Reuters
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul in 2024. Picture: Kevin Jayaraj-Imagen/Reuters

Equally, Paul’s career and past bouts have been criticised, particularly his victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson in November of last year.

Amid widespread speculation that the fight was rigged, Paul’s promotion company was forced to issue a statement, labelling the rumours “false and unfounded”.

Read more from Sky News:
Actors voted for industrial action primarily due to concerns about AI.
Warner Bros. is set to reject a hostile takeover bid.

Does Paul really have a chance?

According to Oddschecker, at the time of writing, the odds stood at around 10% for Paul to win, while Joshua had an 88.9% chance for a win and a 2.8% chance for a draw.

However, to prepare for the fight, Paul has been competing against some of the top heavyweight contenders, including former world champion Lawrence Okolie.

Okolie, who has won world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, admitted that he was amazed by Paul’s boxing skills after spending training camp with him.

From November: Jake Paul’s attention ‘annoys people in boxing’

“He’s a lot better now than when I first saw him. I was actually scared for him when they said he was going to fight AJ,” he told Sky Sports News.

“If he boxes how he fought, he has a good chance to look really good.

“Jake is better than I thought. I think he has a very good boxing mind, good usage, and good patience.”

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A sunrise crowd gathers at Bondi Beach in consolation and defiance after a massacre

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A sunrise crowd gathers at Bondi Beach in consolation and defiance after a massacre

Sydney – Thousands of people returned to the beach on Friday to celebrate the loss and try to heal through a sense of community.

a full day before the inauguration, after 15 people were killed in a mass shooting fuelled by anti-Semitism on Sunday at Australia’s famed Bondi Beach.

In a hastily organised event, people gathered shoulder to shoulder on the ancient crescent of sand at Bondi in an expression of solidarity among Sydney residents and support for the Jewish community and then formed a giant circle in the ocean.

Police reopened parts of the beach.

Police reopened parts of the beach on Thursday, marking the beginning of a comeback for one of the country’s most beloved destinations five days after two shootings.

An attack on the Hanukkah celebration in a park near the coast resulted in the deaths of 15 people.

With questions rising about whether Australian Jews were adequately protected from the threat of attack and fears of a backlash against Muslims, armed police officers stood guard outside synagogues and mosques in Sydney on Friday.

Strangers hugged and cried during the morning remembrance. Some stood in prayer near fluttering remnants of crime scene tape and discarded shoes as people fled in fear of gunfire.

Those involved in the siege at sea observed a minute’s silence for the dead, the injured, and those in danger of being saved.

Life also began to return to normal on the sand and boardwalk, where people jogged, walked dogs and drank coffee while humming Everyday life on Bondi Beach.

Australians are heartbroken by the attack in a country where mass shootings are rare and where most people take pride in their ability to live together.

Many people were attempting to cope as usual, waking up early, putting on swimsuits, grabbing surfboards, and heading to the beach.

Some beachgoers expressed a fervent wish that Australia’s comfortable and friendly lifestyle would continue uninterrupted.

“I’ve grown up here my whole life,” said swimmer Jack Hobbs, 22. “Today is a reminder of the amazing people we live with and what this community is built on.”

In the days following the attack, Australians celebrated those who later helped or put themselves in danger to save lives.

In a land repeatedly affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters, resilience is built by coming together during difficult times.

Many have embraced the stories of heroism that emerged after the shooting.

Ahmed Al Ahmed An Australian Muslim store owner, who was born in Syria, tackled and disarmed one of the two gunmen before he was shot and wounded by the other.

“It was a good day; everyone was celebrating with their children,” Al Ahmed said from his hospital bed in a video posted on social media on Friday. “They deserve to enjoy it, and it is their right.”

His message, he said, was “for all human beings to stand together.”

Australia is “the best country in the world,” Al Ahmed said. He raised a fist and said in a low voice a phrase that aroused national pride among Australians everywhere: “Australian, Australian, Australian.”

Al Ahmed’s remarks reflected a national mood of solidarity, with the rays of a menorah shining on the sails of Sydney’s famous Opera House and city residents lining up for hours to donate blood.

In a national record, almost 35,000 donations were made and more than 100,000 appointments booked since Monday, according to Lifeblood, a branch of the Australian Red Cross.

The families of three Jewish individuals who lost their lives while attempting to halt the massacre are struggling to cope with their sorrow. Reuven Morrison and Boris and Sophia Gurman also celebrated his courage.

But there has been a fierce debate in Australia over how to end the hateful ideologies that apparently led to Sunday’s shootings, while Jewish leaders have spoken of their sadness and anger that this horror was able to unfold.

“There are many leaders here from different parts, trying to generate political capital,” said Andrew Stephen, standing near the beach where a makeshift monument of bouquets has been erected.

“But these community gatherings have been really good,” said Stephen, 53, who has lived in Bondi for more than 20 years. “People want to connect.”

On Saturday, Bondi Beach lifeguards will return six days after members of their service became first responders by running towards gunfire in bare feet and carrying first aid kits.

As the familiar sight of red and yellow flags planted in the sand to guide beachgoers returns, another symbol of life will also reappear at Australia’s most famous beach.

,

Smith reported from Newcastle, Australia.

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“Fits the pattern”: According to a former immigration official, if the lottery closes, Trump might permanently terminate the green card programme.

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“Fits the pattern”: According to a former immigration official, if the lottery closes, Trump might permanently terminate the green card programme.

'Fits the pattern': Former immigration official says Trump could end green card program permanently if lottery shuts down

A former immigration official said it would not be surprising if the Donald Trump administration permanently ended the green card program altogether.

as it did when it halted the green card lottery, citing the criminal actor behind the Brown University shooting, which also killed an MIT professor.

The Green Card Lottery is different from green card programs because it was only for countries with low immigration to the US. Ricky Murray,

He served as USCIS chief of staff for refugee and international operations until November and told Newsweek the administration is following a pattern of suspending programs based on certain incidents.

The administration halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan and several other countries after an Afghan national was found to be a suspect in the recent DC shootings.

Now the administration cited the Brown University shootings and the murder of an MIT professor in suspending the green card lottery because the accused, a Portuguese-born man, had become a citizen through the green card lottery.

“This fits the pattern we see consistently under this administration, where the actions of a bad actor are put on everyone using that avenue for their immigration processing.

They use this broad logic to ban entire groups of immigrants and do not look at any individual merit or factors in determining whether to approve or deny cases.

The U.S. The immigration system was always set up to measure individual merits.

“This administration is attempting to change the approach by allowing everyone a chance, while simultaneously looking for a single mistake to judge them all,” Murray said.

The Green Card Program includes the Green Card Lottery.

There are five main categories of green cards: family-based, employment-based, diversity visas (the green card lottery has been suspended), humanitarian green cards, and special programs, such as special immigrant visas. The Green Card Lottery was a random selection of 55,000 applications to grant permanent residence in the US.

Indian-origin immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta stated, “The suspension of the entire diversity visa programme mandated by Congress should not be justified by the evil actions of one individual.”

Cyrus Mehta, an Indian-origin immigration lawyer, condemned the suspension and asserted that the lottery could not bear the blame for the killings.

Congress should not use the bad actions of one individual to shut down the entire diversity visa programme.

The Brown University firings were not the result of the visa program but based on the motivations of one individual.

Unfortunately, the president has attacked the DV program in the past because it brings people from “stupid” countries to the US.

The alleged killer in this case is from Portugal, which hardly qualifies as one of the countries Trump has maligned.

The administration should not use these unfortunate murders as an excuse to end its regressive immigration programs,” Mehta said.

The green card lottery suspension will have no impact on India, Pakistan, China, the UK and other countries with high immigration rates, as they were never eligible for this lottery.

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‘Epstein files and photos released’ and ‘Walliams deposed’

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‘Epstein files and photos released’ and ‘Walliams deposed’

The Times is following up with a new set of documents released by the US Justice Department, including “a previously unseen photograph of Andrew Mountbatten.”
In the photograph, Windsor is lying across the laps of five women.
Thousands of files and photos related to Epstein have been released.
The photo shows the mutilated faces of former Prince Ghislaine Maxwell and six people. Andrew has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing and says he “did not observe.
He did not witness or suspect any of the conduct that led to his subsequent arrest and conviction. Having names or pictures in files is not a sign of wrongdoing.

The Prince of Wales “joins the SAS” as a “patron” of the elite unit’s charity, which “supports soldiers, veterans and families.”.
reports the Daily Mirror, citing an unnamed royal source. According to the newspaper, the front page also featured a black-and-white photo of Andrew “
clinging to the woman’s lap … as Maxwell looks on.”
Daily Telegraph publisher HarperCollins UK is laying off best-selling author and comedian David Walliams.
The newspaper says it has investigated allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward young women. The publisher did not provide a reason for Walliams’s dismissal.
Walliams’s publisher “never informed him of any allegations against him,” according to his spokesman.
“He was neither a party to any investigation nor provided any opportunity to answer questions,” the spokesperson added. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
Walliams’ story is also on the front page of the Daily Star.
A spokesperson for HarperCollins says it has decided not to release any new titles by Walliams “after careful consideration and under the leadership of its new CEO.”
The Daily Mail reports that retailers have accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of ruining Christmas. It said customers “surprisingly” avoided Black Friday sales.
As retailers say, “December has been disastrous, with the ‘bleak’ outlook extending into January.” Critics quoted in the newspaper blame the government’s “£30 billion budget tax raid.”.
The iPaper follows up with an interview with Reeves, who “does not rule out tax increases in 2026.” The newspaper quotes the Chancellor saying that he hopes “further tax changes are less necessary” while also adding that “the world is incredibly volatile currently.”
His comments follow the government’s “tax increase of £66 billion”
set out in November’s budget, which the paper reports is accused of “breaking a Labour manifesto promise not to increase income tax, NI (National Insurance), or VAT (value added tax).”.
The Financial Times is spearheading the push for an EU €90bn (£79bn) loan to Ukraine, referring to it as a crucial lifeline for the struggling Kyiv.
The Financial Times reported that Belgian objections caused the bloc’s “plan to use frozen Russian assets” to collapse, threatening legal and financial liability.
The Independent leads with the latest news in Ukraine, including the EU’s €90bn (£79bn) loan and the attack on a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean, in its headlines.
The article also includes Putin’s reaction, accusing Western allies of ‘dirty tricks’ over European debt and vowing to avenge Zelensky’s drone strike.
The Daily Express features a “Robot Surgery Revolution” on its front page. The article stated that the new technology could “cut patients’ recovery times and free up beds.”
The Guardian has warned that the government could be “risking a lost generation” due to “increasing inactivity among young people.”
Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn informed the newspaper that the government needs to confront some “uncomfortable realities.”
about the labour market, as he leads an inquiry that will include a review of “the future of the youth minimum wage.”
Finally, The Sun reports that TV chef James Martin has announced his engagement to personal trainer partner Kim Johnson.
The newspaper reports that he felt compelled to start kneading.
 



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Michael Jackson poses with Jeffrey Epstein and smiles on a jet alongside Bill Clinton.

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Michael Jackson poses with Jeffrey Epstein and smiles on a jet alongside Bill Clinton.

The latest batch of files released by the Justice Department features a picture of Michael Jackson with Jeffrey Epstein.

The King of Pop, who died in 2009, was seen in several images with the disgraced financier.

Jackson posing with Epstein for a photo.

Michael Jackson posing with former US President Bill Clinton Credit: Reuters

The first photo shows MJ standing next to Epstein in an undated picture.

It is unclear where the photo was taken and no other references are given.

A separate image shows Jackson and former US President Bill Clinton posing with an unidentified woman on a private jet.

Clinton has since said that she wishes she had never met Epstein.

epstein docs drama

Full release of Epstein files will not happen today in violation of Trump law

Siko’s Snaps

New photos of Epstein fall on girl’s chest with scary messages and pedo massage

It is not clear when, where and in what context these two photographs were taken.

Other images released show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying on the laps of five women and laughing with Ghislaine Maxwell.

English business magnate Richard Branson has been pictured arm-in-arm with Epstein.

A separate series of photos shows Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger socialising with Clinton, Maxwell and an unnamed woman.

It’s important to note that these photos are not indicative of any wrongdoing.

Many of the individuals shown have denied any involvement in any wrongdoing involving Epstein.

The Epstein File Transparency Act only requires the release of the initial batch of materials today, not the entire collection.

One part of the files contains about 170 morphed images of women in sexual poses.

A list of masseuses with 254 redacted names appears elsewhere.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch explained that the DOJ was taking extra precautions to ensure that the identities of hundreds of Epstein’s victims were removed from the records, hence the delay.

“I expect we will release several hundred thousand documents today,” Blanch said.

“And those documents will come in all different forms, photographs and other materials related to all of the investigations into Mr Epstein.

“So today, several hundred thousand, and then over the next couple of weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more,” he said.

Ahead of the release, President Trump declined to answer any questions about the documents’ release after an event in the Oval Office on Friday.

A preliminary review shows that the documents released today come from three separate investigations into Epstein’s crimes.

Many of the files appear to come from a 2005 police investigation in Palm Beach, Florida.

A federal investigation followed, culminating in Epstein’s infamous 2008 plea deal.

A second investigation in 2019 led to an indictment for sex trafficking.

Epstein pleaded not guilty but died in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is depicted lying on the laps of five women with Ghislaine Maxwell
Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton are pictured with an unidentified woman
Bill Clinton went swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell and a mystery woman
Richard Branson appears hand in hand with Epstein

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Resident doctors in Scotland will go on strike for the first time.

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Resident doctors in Scotland will go on strike for the first time.
Resident doctors in Scotland will go on strike for the first time.

 

Getty Images Three medics in blue scrubs, two men and a woman, walk along a hospital corridor. One of the men is holding a clipboard, the other some papers and the woman has a stethoscope around her neck. They are walking side by side, engaged in conversation. In the foreground, there is woman sitting on a black cushioned chair. She is turned away from the camera, looking towards the medics.Getty Images

The dispute over pay has led Scotland’s resident doctors to embark on a strike, marking the first national walkout by NHS workers.

Their union, BMA Scotland, had accused the government of reneging on a commitment to restore pay to 2008 levels.

92% of the voters approved the strike, setting the strike dates from 07:00 on Tuesday, January 13, to 07:00 on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Health Secretary Neil Grey said he was disappointed by the result, adding that he had offered to meet the BMA Scotland chairman on Monday.

BMA Scotland earlier said it still believed a resolution could be found and had called for the Scottish government to get back to the negotiating table and present a “credible offer”.

Residents— who used to be called junior doctors – make up almost half of the medical workforce in Scotland.

They range from newly qualified doctors to those with up to 10 years’ experience.

Mr Grey said, “Resident doctors in Scotland have received a 4.25% pay uplift this year – as part of a two-year deal – the same as accepted by nurses and other NHS staff.

“This means by 2027, we will have delivered a cumulative pay rise of 35% in four years.

“Our top priority for our patients and the workforce is to improve waiting times, access to the NHS and positive outcomes. Industrial action will put all that progress at risk.”

Scotland had been the only part of the UK.

Scotland had been the only part of the UK to have avoided strike action by NHS workers.

With 5,185 resident doctors in Scotland eligible to vote, turnout was 58%, with a total of 3,008 votes cast.

A strike in the summer of 2023 was called off at the last minute after a deal was agreed.

As part of that, BMA Scotland said the government committed to making “credible progress” towards restoring pay to 2008 levels in each of the three following financial years.

A series of strikes by resident doctors in England has resulted in the cancellation of thousands of operations and procedures.

An ongoing five-day walkout is causing further disruption and has been described as “dangerous and utterly irresponsible” by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Any strike in Scotland would be a major blow to the Scottish government’s promise to end long waits for procedures and appointments by March 2026 and would put even more pressure on an overstretched NHS in an election year.

PA Media A group of junior (now called resident) doctors holding placards outside a hospital in London last year. They are holding signs saying PA Media
Resident doctors have been taking part in a series of strikes in England

Dr Chris Smith, chairman of the BMA resident doctors committee, said: “The result of this ballot shows that resident doctors in Scotland are united in anger over the Scottish government breaking the deal they agreed over pay just two years ago.

“This is not where we wanted to be. However, we have made it clear that the government cannot disregard its commitments without facing accountability.

“Instead of negotiating with resident doctors to make credible progress towards pay restoration, as they agreed to do, they have imposed a pay uplift that is the lowest average award received by resident doctors anywhere in the UK.”

He said the deal the Scottish government agreed to in 2023 was the only reason strike action had been avoided.

“It was working for doctors and the health service,” he said. “By turning their backs on this deal, the Scottish government are forcing a dispute and knowingly putting the NHS in Scotland at risk of disruptive strike action.”

Dr Smith said there was still time to avoid strikes.

“BMA Scotland resident doctors remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the deal in its entirety,” he stated.

“If we don’t take a stand now when the government has broken a commitment agreed to in good faith, they will take this as licence to do it again and again, including on issues such as contract negotiations and more training jobs for resident doctors as part of future medical workforce planning.

“This matters not just for doctors but also for patients and the future of the entire NHS in Scotland, which relies on today’s resident doctors to stay here and become the GPs, specialist doctors, and consultants of tomorrow.”

What was the Scottish government’s offer?

The two-year offer from the Scottish government was for a 4.25% increase in 2025/26 and 3.75% in 26/27.

It ‘s the same offer that nurses, paramedics and other NHS workers accepted earlier this year.

BMA Scotland stated that the offer would have been the lowest in the UK and fell short of the independent pay review body’s recommendations.

The current offer would see the basic pay for a newly qualified doctor rise from £34,500 to £37,345 for 2026/27 and for a doctor with 10 years’ experience rise from £71,549 to £77,387.

Medics will often be expected to work night shifts, weekends or longer hours for which they will receive extra payments.



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WW3 ‘will erupt in a year’ as Putin ‘invades three NATO countries’ world | news

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WW3 ‘will erupt in a year’ as Putin ‘invades three NATO countries’ world | news

A shocking new prediction has emerged showing how Vladimir Putin will start World War Three in less than a year. Ukraine’s respected GUR military intelligence chief, Lieutenant-General Kirill Budanov, claims to have inside information on Russian war plans.

Putin, he said, intends to annex three NATO and EU states in 2027 – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Russia would also attack Poland; however, it does not intend to invade the country immediately. “ According to the master plan,

The Russian Federation was supposed to be ready to launch the operation in 2030,” said Budanov, whose forces are behind several Ukrainian attacks on Putin’s territory.

“Plans have now been adjusted and revised to reduce the time frame to 2027,” he warned.

Russian military action to invade or attack NATO countries would trigger the alliance’s Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

obliging others to assist with armed force to restore security. This scenario could potentially ignite a full-scale war.

Putin sees Russia as an “empire”

Mr Budanov said Putin sees Russia as an “empire” that needs to expand, adding that the country’s “worldview” suffers from “deep historical and psychological trauma”, possibly including the collapse of the USSR.

The wise chief said, “For an empire – and they see themselves as an empire – to grow, you always have to be going somewhere to expand your influence and territory.”

Putin, on the other hand, was cornered by the US in the Pacific and elsewhere by China and the Arctic: “Only the West is left,” Mr Budanov said, adding that Putin consistently portrayed Europe as “hungry”, “sick”, “weak” and “indecisive”.

According to the war plan, the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – all ex-Soviet republics – would be “occupied”.

He said, “Poland is now, according to our information, considered for a military operation solely for attacks, without occupation.”

Russia shares borders with the three Baltic states, as it does with Poland.

Putin ruled out new military action when asked by the BBC during his annual quiz on Friday. His condition was that the West should bow to his demands.

He growled, “If you treat us with respect, if you have our interests in mind, just as we have always tried to respect yours, there will be no action.” “And if you do not betray us, as happened with NATO’s eastward expansion.”

The Russian dictator claimed that Western leaders “created this situation themselves and continue to stoke the fire by saying that they are preparing for war with Russia.”

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The US launches a “massive” attack against IS in Syria.

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The US launches a “massive” attack against IS in Syria.

US President Donald Trump: “We attacked every site flawlessly.”

The US says its forces have launched a “major strike” against the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria in response to a deadly attack on American forces in the country.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said warplanes, attack helicopters and artillery “struck more than 70 targets across multiple locations in central Syria.”. Jordanian aircraft were also involved.

The operation targeted IS infrastructure and weapons sites, utilising more than 100 precision munitions.

After the IS attack on the city of Palmyra on December 13, President Trump said that we were “attacking IS strongholds forcefully.” The operation claimed the lives of two American soldiers and an American civilian interpreter.

In a statement at the

Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the US would “continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our allies across the region.”

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), told news agency AFP that “at least five members of the Islamic State group were killed” in eastern Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province, including the leader of a cell responsible for drones in the area.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force participated in the strikes to “prevent extremist groups from threatening”, according to Jordan’s state news agency, Petra. The aim of the strikes was to ensure the security of Syria’s neighbours and the wider region.

IS has not commented publicly. The BBC was unable to immediately verify the targets.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was “not the beginning of war – it is a declaration of retaliation.

“If you target Americans – anywhere in the world – you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing that the United States will hunt you down, find you, and brutally kill you.

The US Secretary of Defence said, “Today, we hunted and killed our enemies.” We have eliminated numerous adversaries. And we will continue to do so.”

US Air Force/Reuters A soldier signs a bomb: US Air Force/Reuters
The US Army identified the two soldiers killed in the attack as 25-year-old Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and 29-year-old Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard.

Posting on Truth Social, President Trump said the US was “taking grave retribution on the murderous terrorists responsible, as I promised.”

He stated that the Syrian government was “fully supportive.”

CENTCOM had earlier confirmed that an IS gunman, who “continued to kill”, carried out the deadly attack in Palmyra.

Three other US soldiers were wounded in the ambush, which a Pentagon official said occurred “in an area not under the control of the Syrian president.”.

Simultaneously, SOHR stated that the attacker belonged to the Syrian security forces.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of the gunmen have not been released.

Reuters A US airman adds a munition system to an F-15 fighter jet participating in Operation Hawkeye Strike. Photo: 19 December 2025reuters
A US airman adds a munition system to an F-15 fighter jet participating in Operation Hawkeye Strike

In 2019, a US-backed coalition of Syrian fighters announced IS had lost the last part of the territory it controlled in Syria, but the jihadist group has carried out some attacks since then.

The United Nations says the group still has 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.

US troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015 to help train other forces as part of the campaign against IS.

Syria recently joined an international coalition to combat IS and has pledged to cooperate with the US.

In November, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa – a former jihadist leader whose coalition forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024 – met with Trump at the White House and described his visit as part of a “new era” for both countries.



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Rome introduces tourist fees for some visitors to the Trevi Fountain.

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Rome introduces tourist fees for some visitors to the Trevi Fountain.

Tourists visiting the Trevi Fountain are now willing to pay more than the legendary coin tossed over their shoulder to take an Instagrammable selfie in front of one of the world’s most famous waterworks.

Starting Feb. 1, the city of Rome is charging tourists a 2-euro, or $2.35, fee to get close to the fountain during prime-time daylight hours. From the piazza above

, the view remains free for those admiring the late Baroque masterpiece.

The city is making efforts to manage visitor flows.

The tourist fee announced on Friday is part of the Eternal City’s efforts to manage visitor flows in a particularly congested part of the city.

improve the experience and offset the maintenance costs of preserving all of Rome’s cultural heritage.

Officials estimate it could bring in an additional $7.6 million per year for the city.

The fee, a topic of discussion and debate for over a year, mirrors the ticketing system at Rome’s Pantheon monument.

The famous Trevi fountain in Rome, Italy
Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.

In such a situation, the city residents have been exempted from the fee. The same applies to Trevi, where a tourist tax and new 5-euro (or about $6) tourist ticket fees for some of the city’s museums are being introduced.

with plans to increase the number of free museums for registered Roman residents.

“We believe that culture is a fundamental right of citizenship,” Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said at a news conference. “We think it is right and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums for free.”

At the same time, he said, the Trevi tourist fee is a minimum amount that should not discourage visitors but allow more organised travel.

The city decided to implement this after seeing positive results from a year-long experiment to restrict and limit the number of visitors accessing the basin edge in front of the fountain by imposing lines and entry and exit routes.

Gualtieri said about 9 million people have waited in line so far this year to get a closer look, with more than 70,000 passing through on some days.

This system now becomes permanent from 9 am to 9 pm, with non-residents having to pay a fee. Visitors can either pay in advance online while waiting in line, or they can purchase tickets at tourist locations around the city.

After nightfall, admission is open and free.

Pope Urban VIII initially commissioned the fountain in 1640. In 1730, Pope Clement XII revived the project and the current fountain matches the original design of the Roman architect, Nicola Salvi.

The giant fountain of the Titan deity features waterfalls cascading down travertine rocks into a shallow turquoise pool, where Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg famously took a nighttime dip in “La Dolce Vita”.

While bathing is prohibited nowadays, legend has it that visitors who toss a coin over their shoulders and make a wish are returned to Rome.

European officials have sought to curb overtourism. Residents protest: who says that the large number of tourists is making it difficult to live in cities?

Last year, Venice became the first city to do so, imposing tax on day-trip tourists A series of viral incidents

, including a woman climbing the Trevi Fountain fill his water bottle and a British man who Get his and his girlfriend’s initials engraved The issue also drew attention to the Colosseum.

Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè said, “These tourists are also barbarians, because they have no respect for our cultural heritage, which belongs not only to Italy but to the whole world.”

In those days, “We have introduced a bill with a basic concept: You break it, you pay for it.”

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