UK - The Independent

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1. Russia mocks Britain as only country in the world to call itself ‘Great’

   Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the comments during his annual end-of-year press conference

2. Best cheap VPNs for 2026: Top cheapest services from just 5p a day

   It’s possible to get a VPN for pennies, and they’re still as feature-packed as pricier rivals

3. Israel demolishes buildings in UN Palestinian agency’s compound

   Israel forces forced out the compound's security guards and then brought in bulldozers to begin demolishing buildings inside

4. The hidden health benefit of a positive mindset revealed

5. Labour opens door to Australian-style social media ban for under-16s

   The consultation will see ministers visit Australia, where ban came into force in December

6. ‘Scrapping the wealth tax changed our country for the worse. This is why’

   Miranda Sheild Johansson shares her findings about a nation changed by the abolishment of the wealth tax

7. Man drowns in deep pit after emergency responders ‘refused to enter cold water’ to save him

   Witnesses say emergency personnel arrived at the scene within an hour but did not enter the water

8. Communist Party congress gets underway to chart Vietnam’s future amid crackdown on critics

   To Lam expected to retain role as party chief and also seek state presidency

9. Israel will aid Greece in countering military drone swarms

   Israel is set to help Greece develop technology to counter military drone swarms

10. Best Northern Lights photos as aurora borealis creates stunning images in skies over UK and Europe

    ‘Widespread auroras visible across the UK, with reports extending as far south as northern Italy,’ confirmed the Met Office