Starmer has his final call of 2025 with Donald Trump

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump for what will likely be their final phone call of 2025.

The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the appointment of a new ambassador to Washington DC when they spoke on Sunday afternoon, according to No 10.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon. The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine.

“The Prime Minister updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities.

“Turning to the Middle East, the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza.”

The prime minister also updated Trump on the appointment of the new British Ambassador to the U.S., Dr Christian Turner, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

The appointment of Mr Turner will “further deepen the relationship between the two countries”, the Prime Minister is said to have told Mr Trump, who spoke to Sir Keir from Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Florida.

Veteran diplomat Mr Turner, currently the UK’s permanent representative to the United Nations, will take the job vacated by Lord Mandelson, who was sacked by Sir Keir in September after the extent of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

Sir Keir has cultivated a strong personal relationship with Trump and he usually goes out of his way to avoid speaking negatively of the US president.

But recently the prime minister said he would not allow someone talk to his daughter in the way Trump spoke to a reporter and used the language “quiet piggy”.

The US president had made the offensive remark on board Air Force One last month to reporter Catherine Lucey when she tried to ask him a question relating to Epstein before the US president started to wave a finger in her face.

The call comes after the US said it would offer Ukraine Nato-style protections, with Trump claiming they are “closer now than we have been, ever” towards an agreement on a peace deal for Ukraine.

Kremlin official, Kirill Dmitriev, said peace plan talks with the US were pressing on “constructively” in Florida after he met with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in Miami on Saturday.

The US president was also involved in brokering the deal between Israel and Hamas, which promised to end Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the return of all the hostages, which have been returned. But authorities in Gaza say nearly 400 people, including children, have been killed by Israeli gunfire since the ceasefire was put in place.

BBC facing calls to axe David Walliams show from Christmas lineup

The BBC is under pressure to remove its forthcoming Would I Lie to You? Christmas special from the schedules, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against guest panellist David Walliams.

Comedian and children’s author Walliams, 54, was dropped by publisher HarperCollins this week, after he was accused of behaving inappropriately towards young women. A junior colleague is said to have complained about his conduct, leading to other staff members being interviewed.

Former employees alleged to The Telegraph that they were advised to work in pairs when meeting with him and not to visit his home.

Walliams’s spokesperson said he “strongly denies” any claims and was not informed about or party to an investigation by HarperCollins.

Walliams is set to appear in Would I Lie to You? At Christmas, airing on BBC One on Boxing Day, alongside team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack and fellow panellists Jools Holland, Swarzy Shire and Helen George.

The Telegraph has reported that one unnamed MP questioned the wisdom of airing a programme featuring Walliams, saying: “Innocent until proven guilty. But with the BBC’s record for getting it wrong, it probably would be better being safe than sorry.”

A BBC spokesperson told The Independent: “While we’re not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”

Walliams’s appearance on the special episode made headlines earlier this year, after it emerged that he had given two Nazi salutes during the recording.

The former Little Britain star was said to have shocked host Rob Brydon and fellow celebrity panellists as well as audience members with the gesture.

At the time, the BBC apologised over the incident and the scene was deleted from the episode.

This evening (21 December), CBBC will air an adaptation of Walliams’s children’s book The Boy in the Dress.

Another of Walliams’s children’s books, Fing, is currently being adapted for the big screen in a production co-funded by Sky, with Walliams serving as an executive producer on the movie.

The Independent has contacted Sky for comment on the future of the project.

Walliams rose to fame more than 20 years ago through the comedy series Little Britain, alongside Matt Lucas. The show was hugely popular at the time but has come under fire in recent years over use of blackface in the series and claims it was sexist, classist and homophobic.

Following his TV career, Walliams has become one of the UK’s most established and successful award-winning children’s authors, selling an estimated 60 million copies worldwide. His books are widely used in schools.

In 2022, Walliams faced criticism after he was caught making obscene comments about contestants on Britain’s Got Talent.

A leaked transcript revealed that he called one auditioning contestant a “c***” and said of another: “She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t.”

Walliams subsequently left his role on the show, and apologised for the “disrespectful comments”, saying they were part of a private conversation that was “never intended to be shared”.

He sued FremantleMedia, the production company that makes BGT, for the leaking of his private remarks. The matter was settled in November 2023.

Two teens killed and one critically injured in Tesla crash

Two teenagers have died and another is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, after a car collided with a tree in Surrey.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, following the fatal collision in Hurst Green.

Officers were called to Holland Road shortly before 10pm on Saturday night following reports of a serious collision involving a white Tesla ploughing into a tree.

One man in his late teens sadly died at the scene, and a second died later in hospital. Both families have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A third teenager remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

The driver of the Tesla was taken to hospital with serious injuries and Surrey Police is now appealing for witnesses.

In a statement Surrey Police said: “A 30-year-old man from Oxted has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

“Holland Road remains closed between the junction with Popes Lane and the junction with Warren Lane whilst officers carry out enquiries. It is expected to remain closed for several hours. Please avoid the area.

“We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this collision to get in touch.

“We are also seeking CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage that may have captured all or part of this incident.”

Ukraine peace talks constructive, Russia claims after Kyiv hits ship

Peace talks between Russia and the USin Miami were “proceeding constructively” and set to continue on Sunday, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said, concluding Saturday’s talks.

US negotiators met with Russian officials in Florida for the latest talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, as the Trump administration tries to coax an agreement out of both sides to end the conflict.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile called for broader consultations with Kyiv’s European partners on Sunday, following talks between US and Ukrainian teams in Florida last week.

France said it was weighing how to move forward in restarting dialogue with Putin, after president Emmanuel Macron suggested that Europe would have to step up if US-led talks fail to yield a robust and lasting peace.

There was no indication of a lull in the conflict as Zelensky shared Ukraine’s assessment that Russia had launched some 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in the last week alone.

Ukraine also claimed to have struck a Russian warship and drilling facilities in the Caspian Sea during Kyiv’s latest maritime blitz against Putin’s ailing war machine.

Morgan Rogers is the superstar fuelling Aston Villa’s title challenge

A coat was launched into the Villa Park sky. Unai Emery’s coat, to be precise. His team are flying, too. Emery is taking Aston Villa to stratospheric heights and it felt fitting that Morgan Rogers got the goal that prompted the Spaniard to propel his padded jacket upwards. “My adrenaline,” said Emery, whose celebration looked more angry than joyous but Villa have plenty to enjoy.

A seventh consecutive league win, their best run in 36 years, came courtesy of the increasingly remarkable Rogers. The title challenge no one saw coming is gathering speed. “After a poor start we can feel happy,” said Emery. In the bottom three at the autumn equinox, Villa end the shortest day of the year in the top three.

Rogers’s own transformation within three months has been similarly staggering. Booed by a section of the Villa support against Bologna in September, he now looks like the Premier League’s form player. A second successive double featured another wonder goal. Rogers is in a rich vein of form. “Morgan Rogers played brilliant,” said Emery. “Today and last week Morgan raised his performance. He is the protagonist, a fighter and a very good guy.”

Manchester United, meanwhile, are stumbling and staggering. A day when they could have gone fifth instead ended with them beaten, bedraggled, looking patched-up and with a distinctly makeshift midfield duo of Lisandro Martinez and the debutant Jack Fletcher. If it is an indictment of United that Villa are outperforming them, it is another that, while Ruben Amorim spent £230m in the summer, Emery possessed the superior side and the stronger bench.

Amorim’s distinctly unusual team showed some defensive resolve in the first half and put in a spirited attempt to secure a second equaliser. It is, though, Villa who have more cohesion, more momentum and a winning habit. It is 16 victories in their last 18 outings. The last five have all come by one-goal margins. This team can hold their nerve. They can win big moments.

Certainly Rogers can. Urged on by Amadou Onana, he ended his afternoon punching the air in front of the Holte End, a crowd favourite once again. “Sometimes it’s your day, sometimes it isn’t,” he shrugged. “Luckily lately it has been.”

He seems confident enough to attempt almost anything. He almost scored in the eighth minute with a backheel flick. When he did strike, it was magnificent. He took a touch to hook John McGinn’s pass out of the air, another to stop the ball coming out and then, after a winding run, for the curled finish that left Senne Lammens motionless. “You want every one to go in the top corner like that,” Rogers added. Both of his goals were bent in from a similar angle, the second from closer range after he latched onto Ayden Heaven’s clearance.

It rendered it all the odder that Rogers had almost waited until Christmas to score at Villa Park this season; his previous five goals had all come on the road. Then he eviscerated United. “Rogers can go both sides; it is really hard to defend a player like that one against one,” rued Amorim.

United almost had their answer to Rogers. One interpretation is that it became a duel between the Englishman and Matheus Cunha. Two shot-happy players had 13 attempts between them. The Brazilian levelled once and should have done again.

After Patrick Dorgu caught Matty Cash dawdling in possession, the summer signing curled a shot in. After only one goal for United, he now has two in a week. Cunha ought to have had two in an afternoon. After an unusually accurate cross by an unusually effective Dorgu, he headed wastefully wide from six yards. If nothing else, Cunha was persistent; he came close in the third minute and was later denied by Emi Martinez.

But, as United began life without Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, they had little other threat. Benjamin Sesko was a particular disappointment. He lacked conviction when he had an effort blocked by Martinez, the goalkeeper who hoped to join United on deadline day and now may be relieved they preferred to buy Lammens.

“I think we were the better team,” insisted Amorim. “We deserved so much more.” Some individuals emerged with credit. Heaven, twice United’s early rescuer, had a decent game. So did Dorgu.

But Amorim’s plans were affected by the rarity of a Bruno Fernandes injury, meaning the skipper did not return for the second half and a midfield already without the banned Casemiro and the sidelined Kobbie Mainoo took on a different look with the defender Martinez and the rookie Fletcher. “It is really strange,” said Amorim, unaccustomed to seeing his compatriot sidelined. “It is going to be a while.” And the bigger damage of the day may not be the defeat, but the loss of the man who has been captain, constant and catalyst.

It’s about experience: Further Education teachers share what it takes

In the modern world, many of us are working longer than ever. Research based on ONS Labour Market data found that there are almost one million more workers aged 65 and above since the millennium and the state pension is set to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by the late 2030s. Subsequently, having multiple careers is becoming increasingly popular. And after decades working in a specific industry, sharing the work-based knowledge you have gained via teaching in further education is one of the most rewarding career shifts you can make.

Further Education teaching (defined as any education for people aged 16 and over who aren’t studying for a degree) allows you to switch up your working days and harness the skills and experience you have developed, all while helping shape the next generation of workers in your field.

To find out more about the role, from what it takes to the best parts of the job, we spoke to Further Education teachers who have switched from doing their day job to teaching it…

John Ryan, 51, from Weston Super Mare, worked for more than a decade on site in the construction industry, mainly in bricklaying and supervising roles, before an opportunity to become a Further Education assessor changed his path in his thirties. Travelling nationally to assess the work of new bricklayers in order to sign off their NVQs (National Vocational Qualification), the college John was associated with then started offering him some teaching work.

With no prior teaching qualifications, John completed these alongside his assessing and teaching roles with the fees picked up by the teaching college. “I liked the idea of passing on my knowledge and giving young people the skills and confidence to progress in a trade,” he says. “Teaching in Further Education felt like a natural next step because it would allow me to combine my practical background with coaching and mentoring.” There were practical draws too. “On site in the construction industry you are self-employed so you do not get holidays or sick pay. The stability of income and regular paid holidays was a big draw of Further Education teaching,” he adds.

Since his first assessing role 18 years ago, John has worked between assessing, teaching and jobs back on the construction site and now, he currently teaches bricklaying and groundwork full-time at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

John’s extensive site and supervisory experience has proved to be hugely valuable when it comes to teaching his students there. “I can explain not just the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ behind industry standards,” he explains. “Learners often respond well to hearing about real jobs, site challenges, and the professional behaviours that employers expect. It makes the lessons more relatable and credible,” he shares.

“For example, I can share stories of accidents when teaching site safety, or explain how a mistake of a few millimetres on a construction site can cost you time to rectify, which in turn will cost you money,” he says. “These hands-on, real world experiences make the theory relatable and show learners the real value of getting it right.”

Coral Aspinall, 52, who became a full-time Further Education teacher 12 years ago, agrees. “My experience allows me to put my teaching into context,” she says. Coral started out her engineering career at 16 as an apprentice in a local engineering company. Following a BSc in Engineering and Business Management, she worked for many years in the engineering industry before enrolling on a part-time PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education) course for teaching. She’s now the Engineering Programme Leader at the Stockport campus of the Trafford and Stockport College Group. Here, they offer qualifications such as Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations as well as engineering-focused Level 3 T Levels and Level 3 Btec Awards. They also offer Level 3 apprenticeships across engineering including Technical Support, Engineering Fitter and Maintenance Management.

“Because I’ve been an engineering apprentice myself, I understand what the student needs to be successful in terms of skills, knowledge and behaviour,” she explains. “I also have contacts in the wider engineering community and understand what an employer is looking for in an apprentice, and can also share insights in terms of how the sector is shifting and evolving to help support their progress.”

Working for an extensive period of time in a field before passing on that knowledge gives teachers maturity and empathy which can be hugely helpful for students, especially those facing complex life situations.

Beyond the practical techniques, a big part of John’s role is helping learners build confidence, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that employers look for. “Many of my learners have different challenges, so they value teachers who are approachable, who believe in them, and who prepare them for real opportunities in work or further study,” he says. For John, his previous work experience has allowed him to do this. “On site, I worked with people facing all sorts of pressures, from work to life issues, which taught me to be patient and supportive,” he explains.

Coral has had a similar experience. “I see my role as more than imparting knowledge; it is about preparing the young person for the next stage of their journey. The students trust me to have their best interests at heart; they come to me for advice on their next steps and how they can achieve their aspirations, and I’ll support them with both practical advice and words of encouragement.”

For Coral, teaching later in life allows her to draw from a mature perspective, and teach her students positive workplace behaviours alongside skills and knowledge. “Students thrive when they have clear unambiguous boundaries, so I’m firm around expectations in terms of timekeeping, attendance and attitude. This is particularly important to succeeding in the workplace as employers value these behaviours as much as, or even more than having specific expertise or know-how (which can generally be developed).”

If you’re looking for a fresh career option, and keen to share your skills with the next generation, Further Education teaching could be a really enriching new phase. Further Education covers a huge range of career sectors including construction, law, engineering, digital, hospitality, tourism, beauty and more. This includes BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council qualifications), T Levels, NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) or City & Guilds Qualifications.

Teaching in a mixture of colleges (often General Further Education Colleges or Sixth Form Colleges) and Adult and Community Learning Centres as well as workplace and apprenticeship settings, further education teachers share their years of real world industry skills with a diverse mix of people from those straight out of school aged sixteen to those making career switches later in life.

You don’t always need an academic degree or prior teaching qualifications to start teaching in further education. You can undertake teacher training on the job, often funded by your employer, so you can start earning straight away.. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean you have to stop working in your chosen field. Further education offers hybrid opportunities – so you could teach part time alongside your other commitments. This means you could have the best of both worlds, where you are still working in your chosen industry and teaching alongside it at a time that suits your schedule. Find out if it’s the right move for you here.

If, like John and Coral, you see the appeal in sharing the knowledge and skills you’ve developed with the next generation, exploring the option of becoming a Further Education teacher can be a great next step. As John shares, the reward is always worth it: “It never gets old passing on my knowledge to people starting on their journey, knowing I have made a difference and getting a smile and thanks in return!”

Looking for a new role that’s rewarding, flexible and draws on your current career? Why not consider sharing your experience where it matters most – helping inspire the next generation of workers in the field you love? Visit Further Education to find out more

Police name 55-year-old man shot dead in north-west London

A man shot dead in north-west London has been named as 55-year-old Simon Whyte.

Police launched a murder investigation after a man died on Friday night at the scene on West End Close in Stonebridge, Brent, despite the efforts of police and paramedics to save his life.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Team are now appealing for witnesses information and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

They are particularly keen to hear from a small group who were congregated nearby when the incident happened.

Officers were called at 9.35pm on Friday night to the scene after reports of a shooting, with police administering emergency first aid and the London Ambulance Service attending.

No arrests were made by Sunday afternoon.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John from the Met’s Specialist Crime Team, who is leading the investigation, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Simon’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“Enquiries are well underway, and my team is working at pace to determine the circumstances that led to his tragic death.

“There’s no doubt this incident will cause concern in the local community and more widely, but we have increased patrols in the area. I’d like to reassure the public that our investigation remains a priority.

“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information, including dashcam footage, that will assist us with our enquiries to contact us at the earliest opportunity.

“We also believe there was a large group of people congregated nearby at the time the incident happened, and we are keen to hear from them.”

Littler eases into third round after Price suffers shock exit

Luke Littler cruised through to the third round of the PDC World Championship as his path to glory opened up after Gerwyn Price’s shock exit.

Littler is the favourite to defend his historic title at Alexandra Palace and gave no reason to suggest it will not happen after brushing past Welshman David Davies 3-0.

The 18-year-old was nowhere near his imperious best but did not need to be as he extended his winning streak to 15 senior matches, going back to October 25.

“I was getting away with it, he missed 16 darts at double, but every one he missed was crucial, if he hit them it was a completely different game,” Littler said on stage.

“I am glad he missed and I got the job done. I enjoyed it tonight. I was lucky to win the first set, once I got that I was settled and I am happy. I am happy, I’m coming back after Christmas.

“Everyone is on about the £1m (prize money), it’s there in front of you, but back-to-back is the only thing I want.”

The first real test of his defence was expected to be a quarter-final against Price after Christmas, but that will now not happen after the Welshman was dumped out by the world number 92 Wesley Plaisier.

The giant Dutchman slayed the Welsh dragon with an imperious victory, sending the 2020 champion packing with a 3-0 defeat.

Price’s disappointing loss, his earliest exit from this tournament in seven years, would have served as the perfect tonic for Littler, who followed him on stage.

The Welshman had at one stage earlier this year beaten the teenager more than any other player and was Littler’s biggest obstacle to reaching the semi-finals.

An elated Plaisier said on stage: “I still can’t believe it, I am so over the moon. My biggest victory ever, I don’t know how I did it. I was so nervous, I am so happy to get over the line.”

Littler will next play Mensur Suljovic after the Austrian beat Joe Cullen in a tense match.

Cullen branded Suljovic a cheater after his deliberate slow play, which the latter won 3-1. Suljovic is notorious for his slow play on the circuit, but denied any wrongdoing.

Cullen took to social media to condemn Suljovic’s tactics, posting on X: “If that’s darts, I don’t want no part of it! Always liked Mensur away from the board but that was plain for all to see!

“I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”

Suljovic retorted: “I don’t know, what’s his problem?. I give him missed doubles, everything. I like Joe Cullen, a very nice guy.

“I never ever play slow. I do it only for my game. I’m never doing this for him. Sorry Joe, never do this. I love him man.”

Elsewhere, there were wins for Rob Cross, who opened up about his mental health issues, Martin Schindler, Krzysztof Ratajski and Luke Woodhouse.

Meanwhile, Dom Taylor has apologised for failing a drugs test which saw him kicked out of the tournament earlier in the week.