King Charles on a portaloo

After a long festive break… we’re back!!! Did you miss us? We’re slowly dipping our toes back into the new year and have opted not to bicker over a topic. Instead, we’re sharing our thoughts on what was the biggest headline from the break.

Alister: Downing Street is bracing for fierce battles as they push for closer EU alignment without a customs union. It’s a delicate balancing act, trying to woo Brussels with one hand while holding back the Eurosceptics with the other. Fingers crossed we can start to mend some bridges and unite once more.

Brussels however is demanding a "Farage clause" in the new Brexit reset deal, forcing the UK to pay massive compensation if a future Reform government tears it up. It is essentially a political pre-nup, ensuring that if we go through another messy divorce, we pick up the bill. It’s a smart move to lock us in, making sure the grown-ups stay in charge even if the populists win the next round.

Meridyth: The US stunned the world when it attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, something not seen in Latin America since the Cold War interventions around Cuba. It’s also more than a little ironic that a leader accused of eroding democratic norms has toppled another accused of authoritarianism, rigged elections, and criminal ties.

Most of the world is shocked because the raid appears to rip up international law and set a dangerous precedent. If the US can decapitate one regime, who might be next? Greenland? Inside Venezuela, though, many people are simply relieved Maduro is gone after years of repression and economic collapse, even as they face the unsettling question of whether they have swapped one tyrant for an uncertain, foreign‑managed future.

Storm Goretti didn’t just bring snow; it also knocked a shipping container into the sea, leaving Sussex beaches covered in thousands of washed-up bananas. While foraging for salty fruit is certainly a cheap day out, sending this newsletter to a friend is much less messy and far more satisfying.

📉 Trade war tweets. The UK economy is in the firing line as the US threatens to impose heavy sanctions if Downing Street bans X. It is a massive headache for Starmer, who now has to decide if curbing AI generated nude images of children is worth risking the price of everyone’s morning cuppa.

🥊 Right-wing rumble. Tommy Robinson is suing Nigel Farage for defamation after the Reform UK leader claimed Robinson has convictions for violence against women. It’s a spectacular civil war on the right, proving that even supposed allies will happily lawyer up when egos and reputations are on the line.

🚬 Expensive habit. A smoker in East London has been fined over £700 for flicking a cigarette butt out of his car window. It's a hefty price to pay for being a litterbug, proving that while smoking kills, it’s the council fines that will really empty your wallet.

📝 Thesaurus abuse alert. Leaked memos show BBC journos are being told to say Maduro was "seized" not "kidnapped" to keep things "neutral." It’s an awkward linguistic dance to avoid offending Washington while the rest of the world just calls a spade a spade.

🥃 Sacrilege or sustainability? Scotland’s Stirling Distillery is testing aluminium bottles to slash whisky’s carbon footprint, opting for lighter, greener, and recyclable. Purists are balking, scientists are cautious, but younger drinkers might toast the idea. What do you think?

GOOD NEWS… potentially for those seeking World Cup tix with calls for boycotting the tournament have only grown after Trump threatened to add “land-based“ attacks against cartels on Mexican soil. Foreigners’ safety seems quite the issue. BAD NEWS… for those seeking World Cup tix, prices have become so expensive (e.g. minimum $4,000 USD for Finals tix) that there is concern over empty seats.

🇵🇱 Polexit propaganda bots. AI has been caught red-handed creating fake influencers to push anti-EU sentiment in Poland. The eerily realistic avatars, posing as young women, flooded TikTok with nationalist talking points.

🇪🇺 Euro Club expands again. The Eurozone has welcomed its 21st member as Bulgaria adopts the single currency amidst fierce political headwinds. While Brussels celebrates unity, locals are bracing for potential "rounding up" inflation.

🐲 Unstoppable force warned. Xi Jinping has used his New Year address to declare Taiwan’s reunification inevitable, calling it a "trend of the times." It’s a chilling holiday message delivered right after 200 warplanes circled the island, which highlighted Beijing’s resolution for 2026 seems more focused on land grabs.

🔌 Total digital darkness. Experts say they’ve “never seen anything like it” as Iran cuts off all internet access to quell economic protests. With VPNs failing and connectivity flatlining, the regime has effectively ghosted the entire world.

🪞 Dating your double. A new study suggests we are all closet narcissists, finding ourselves most attracted to partners who look like us. It explains why so many couples look like siblings. So deep down, is the only person we truly love the one in the mirror?

🧸 Tiger parents warned. A massive study of elite achievers reveals that pushing kids early is a terrible strategy for long-term success. It suggests that forcing your toddler to master the violin won't make them a virtuoso, but letting them play in the mud might actually help them win a Nobel Prize later on. (Meridyth: Shoot, I’ve screwed up my 8yo. 😬)

🧠 Mind over batter. It turns out the Ozempic jab is shrinking personalities along with waistlines. Reports show the drug is reshaping identity, mental health, and social norms. From weight anxiety to risky DIY dosing, the real-world costs go far beyond the scale.

📈 Tofu stock on the rise. A whopping third of UK adults plan to buy plant-based this January (aka Veganuary), with tofu and tempeh leading the charge. What started as a niche challenge is now a retail goldmine driven by climate conscience, curiosity, and better meat-free options. (We’re firmly in the remaining two-thirds camp. 😅)

🚫 Retire the automatic yes. Still need a new year’s resolution? Therapists say people-pleasing isn’t kindness. It’s fear of disapproval. The fix? Micro-boundaries. Pause before agreeing, practise gentler “no’s,” and let body language do some of the talking. Turns out self-respect is a learnable skill.

💻 Nazi site nuked. A hack-tivist has delighted a live audience at a hacker conference by deleting white supremacist websites in real-time. It’s the kind of performance art we can all get behind. Sometimes the best way to fight hate speech is to just hit the "delete" button.

By Alister

Honestly, telly doesn’t get any better than Wild London on the BBC. I’ve always had a soft spot for Sir David, but seeing him explore our own concrete jungle in his 100th year is a proper crowd-pleaser.

From peregrine falcons on Parliament to deer crossing the road, it’s totally eye-opening. I’ll never look at a dragonfly the same way again. And the moment with the fox cub in the allotment is pure magic.

It’s uplifting, while celebrating the resilience of nature. And I’m not ashamed to say it made me tear up. It just makes you appreciate the city even more.

By Alister

A blind musician got the surprise of a lifetime when Victory Amps sent him a custom Braille amp.

It’s a brilliant move that proves accessibility strikes a chord with everyone. And you certainly don’t need sight to know when something sounds absolutely incredible.

A UK superfan has made headlines for buying a new house specifically to give her £35,000 My Little Pony collection its own room. If you think that’s a sensible investment strategy in this economy, we have a bridge to sell you… Join us next week for another Squabble!

Alister & Meridyth