On entering, Bart realises he is not permitted to bring his pet bullfrog, it being an invasive species. I am sure it is with this cautionary tale at the forefront of their minds that the Government drafted the section on goal 9: biosecurity in the EIP. It seems to me that there is at least some scope to question whether it is sufficient to meet the legal requirements under the Environment Act 2021. The toads quickly became an established invasive species and led to breakdowns in local ecological systems. [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/invasive-non-native-species-environment-act-target-delivery-plan/invasive-non-native-species-environment-act-target-delivery-plan[3] “Less than 1% of UK biosecurity budget goes on tackling invasive species, figures show”, Joe Coughlan, The Guardian, 12 May 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/12/less-than-1-of-uk-biosecurity-budget-goes-on-tackling-invasive-species-figures-show[4] See the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019.

December 23, 2025 10:26 UTC

I even thought it was adorable that he ruined their wedding video by filming only closeups of her face. It was this sadness that made me think to myself: if I ever find myself in that situation, I’ll leave. We’d had an argument that had somehow led to this admission that he’d been cheating throughout the relationship. But later that day as I sat alone in the bedroom, that scene from Love Actually popped into my mind. I thought of Thompson standing in the corner of her room wiping back her tears listening to Joni Mitchell.

December 23, 2025 07:43 UTC

Cody Stylianou filmed this 'pink' platypus at a Gippsland fishing spot – a location he is keeping secret to protect the rare animal. Stylianou had been on his first trout fishing trip of the season in September when he saw the platypus, which he has nicknamed Pinky, feeding at the top of the tannin-stained river. Biologist Jeff Williams says though Pinky's colouring is 'somewhat unusual', it is not a rare albino platypus, just lighter in colour than most. 'Platypus do vary a lot in colour,' the director of the Australian Platypus Conservancy says. It’s not one that we consider should be added to the list of albino and leucistic ones'

December 23, 2025 06:56 UTC

DONALD Trump has announced plans for a new class of US Navy “battleships” bearing his name. The Navy Secretary, John Phelan, said the Trump-class battleships would be equipped with the “nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile”. He has frequently criticised the appearance and condition of existing Navy ships and has pushed to revamp the fleet since returning to office. Asked whether the new warships were intended as a counter to China, Trump declined to single out Beijing. RECOMMENDED STORIES“We’re going to restore America as a major shipbuilding power,” Trump said.

December 23, 2025 04:35 UTC

Asked what he made of Sussan Ley’s comments yesterday claiming he and senior ministers hadn’t shown sufficient grief and emotion after the attack, Anthony Albanese told reporters, 'I certainly do regret the politicisation of this issue'. The PM also said he spoke to the opposition leader on Sunday night and Monday morning, despite Ley claiming he had only called her once since the attack. 'I think people will judge whether Sussan Ley and others have been engaging in bipartisanship or not since then,' he said

December 23, 2025 03:59 UTC





Chris Rea, the British singer-songwriter whose hits included Driving Home For Christmas, has died at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family said. View image in fullscreen Chris Rea performs at Salle Pleyel in October 2017 in Paris, France. The 1988 compilation album New Light Through Old Windows contained his biggest hit, Driving Home for Christmas, originally recorded in 1986. They love it.”View image in fullscreen Chris Rea, in his studio in 2005. View image in fullscreen Chris Rea posed backstage at the Venue in London in March 1983.

December 23, 2025 03:54 UTC

Dec 23, 2025 10:35:00Vince Zampella, creator of 'Call of Duty' and 'Apex Legends,' dies in car accidentVince Zampella, a popular game developer known as the co-creator of the popular shooter series 'Call of Duty ,', has died in a car accident. The latest installment in the series,, released in October 2025, was a huge hit, selling overin the first three days of its release. At Infinity Ward, he co-created the Call of Duty series and was involved in the production of popular titles such asCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (released in 2007) and(released in 2009). A friend, colleague, leader, and visionary creator, his work helped shaped modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to influence the way games are made and the way players connect with each other for generations to come.'

December 23, 2025 01:40 UTC

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is set for a lengthy spell of the sidelines, with the Premier League club confirming he has undergone surgery on a leg fracture. The Sweden striker was injured during the Reds' win at Tottenham on Saturday, and it quickly emerged that there were concerns the issue was serious. Isak, who was injured scoring Liverpool's opener in their 2-1 win, was injured in the process. While an ACL injury was quickly ruled out, indications on Sunday suggested Isak's club still feared a 'significant' issue. And after an MRI scan confirmed the former Newcastle man had broken his leg, Isak underwent surgery on Monday.

December 23, 2025 00:30 UTC

One Facebook post (archived) sharing the screenshot claimed: "According to the files, Epstein elbowed Trump playfully asking him, 'This is a good one, right?' As such, it reflects a plaintiff's allegation in litigation, not a court determination that Epstein took a 14-year-old girl to Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump. Introducing 14-year-old Doe to Donald J. Trump, Epstein elbowed Trump playfully asking him, referring to Doe, "This is a good one, right?" We have addressed other claims tied to the DOJ's December 2025 document release, including a claim about a document alleging Trump commented on someone's "pert nipples." "'The Most Important Documents Are Missing,' Says Democratic Representative of Epstein Files Release – as It Happened."

December 23, 2025 00:11 UTC

Announcing Rea's death, a spokesperson for his family said: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. "He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family." Rea found fame in the late Seventies and Eighties with hits such as Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance and The Road To Hell. The track Fool (If You Think It’s Over) went on to be nominated for a Grammy. Two of his studio albums – The Road To Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991) – went to number one in the UK.

December 22, 2025 21:19 UTC

12:30 ExplainerIn Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity after a violent crackdown on Gen Z-led protests during the July–August 2024 uprising. What began as student protests over government job quotas escalated into a nationwide movement, leaving an estimated 1,400 people dead and ending Hasina’s 15-year rule. This video examines how the 2024 protests unfolded, why a generation of young Bangladeshis mobilised at scale, and how Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal reached one of the most consequential death sentences in the country’s history. Video by Kasia Sobocinska

December 22, 2025 21:14 UTC

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

December 22, 2025 21:12 UTC

Priorities need to changeSir, — I was very interested in the very detailed letter from Vic Angell (Standard, December 12). The firefighters in Henley do an excellent job, I know as my father was one of them some years ago. — Yours faithfully,Peter GilesEarleyLighting must be improvedI am writing to follow up on my previous concerns (Standard letters, November 28), as I am disappointed that I have still not received a response from Henley Town Council. However, the benefit I enjoy most, which was not mentioned, is charging your EV on a sunny day through your solar panels. — Yours faithfully,David DickieSt Katherine’s Road, Henley

December 22, 2025 20:38 UTC

Fulham v Nottingham Forest: Premier League Match OverviewFulham hosted Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage in a Premier League fixture that began with both sides eager to secure a valuable win. Nottingham Forest brought Douglas Luiz back into the squad, replacing an injured Ibrahim Sangaré, aiming to maintain midfield solidity. Nottingham Forest fielded John Victor as goalkeeper with a backline of Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, and Williams. Tactical and Contextual NotesFulham entered the match with confidence, having won five of their last six Premier League games against Forest, especially at home. With competitive lineups and high stakes, this Premier League clash promised an engaging battle as both sides sought to enhance their season’s trajectory with a crucial win at the heart of December.

December 22, 2025 20:37 UTC

Doyle-Winter Distinguished Professor (Adjunct) of Law E. Donald Elliott ’74 has been named a Yangtze River Distinguished Scholar by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. The award, also known as a “Changjiang Scholar,” is the highest academic award issued to an individual in higher education by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and proceeds Elliott’s lectures on constitutional and environmental law given as part of the Paul Tsai China Center’s visit to Peking University Law School earlier this year. Elliott is the first American law professor to be recognized with this award. Elliott is a leading academic scholar and practitioner in administrative and environmental law. He has been a faculty member at the Law School since 1981 and currently teaches courses in environmental law, conservative legal theory, energy law, administrative law, and civil procedure.

December 22, 2025 19:54 UTC