Hundreds protest in Syria after Christmas tree set alight – POLITICO

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after hitting four pedestrians with his car on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End on Christmas Day. One of the victims is in a life-threatening condition, with the incident being described as isolated and not terror-related. The driver was involved in an altercation at a nightclub before driving on the wrong side of the road, causing the collision near popular theatre district venues. Full Article

Kemi Badenoch, Tory leader, recommends alcohol and butter for enhancing dishes. Steve Reed suggests brining turkey for improved flavor, while Liz Truss shares her roast potato tips. Rain Newton-Smith enjoys homemade pizza for Christmas, Mel Stride suggests a spiced Negroni, and Darren Jones prefers a mezcal cocktail. David Lammy suggests serving Guyanese pepperpot with Christmas turkey for a festive touch. Full Article

A 39-year-old man was shot dead by armed police in Redditch on Christmas Eve after reports of him possessing a knife in Fownhope Close. Despite attempts by police negotiators to engage with him over several hours, the man was shot around 7:40pm and pronounced dead shortly after 8pm. Police had responded to the address due to "significant concerns" for the man's safety and their efforts to resolve the situation peacefully were unsuccessful. Full Article

Your support allows The Independent to cover stories ranging from reproductive rights to Big Tech, with a commitment to unbiased reporting. Donations help fund journalists to provide in-depth coverage and analysis accessible to all. Despite challenges, the royal family's Christmas traditions at Sandringham House remain a constant, including a festive dinner, church service, and Boxing Day hunt. Full Article

Santa Claus and his reindeer are racing across the globe, making billions of stops in less than 24 hours, flying from Nunavut to southern Chile with multiple trips through the Caribbean. Norad tracks Santa's journey every Christmas Eve, a tradition dating back to 1955 when a misprint led to a child calling a Colorado military center, sparking a festive custom that Norad has continued since its creation in 1958. Norad answers over 100,000 children's calls...

Mauritius has rejected Sir Keir Starmer’s deal to hand the Chagos Islands back, citing disagreements with certain parts of the agreement negotiated by the former prime minister. Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has submitted new suggestions to the UK, who responded with counter-proposals, with both sides disputing over small amounts of money in the deal. The move comes as a blow to Sir Keir, who has been accused of rushing the deal through before Donald Trump's...