Britain’s gas storage levels have dropped to 'concerningly low' levels, with less than a week of demand available, warns Centrica, the operator of the largest gas storage site. Plunging temperatures and high reliance on gas-fired power, which accounted for 53% of UK electricity generation last week, have strained supplies. The early onset of winter and reduced wind power generation have further exacerbated the situation. Unlike Europe, which maintains mandatory gas storage targets, the UK relies on diverse gas sources, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the US and pipelines from Norway. The Labour government remains focused on transitioning to renewable energy, with investments in clean energy projects. Despite concerns, the department for energy has given assurances that the UK’s energy system is resilient. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Russian gas continue to influence global prices, leaving households vulnerable to further energy cost increases.

Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, has joined over two dozen faith leaders urging Keir Starmer to back the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill. The bill, set for a parliamentary vote on 24 January, seeks stronger environmental protections and accelerated carbon reduction targets. Over 200 MPs have already expressed support. In an open letter organised by the campaign group Zero Hour, the faith leaders appealed to the government to act responsibly, citing the 'golden rule' shared by all faiths: treat others as you wish to be treated. They emphasised Britain’s responsibility to address the global impacts of its actions. The letter described the CAN Bill as essential for improving lives in the UK and globally. It called on the Government to demonstrate leadership by integrating climate and nature action into its policies and setting an example for the world. The letter, delivered to Downing Street, urged seizing this moment as an opportunity for meaningful change.

Tensions between Poland and Ukraine have been strained for years over the Volhynia Massacre, in which Ukrainian paramilitary forces killed around 100,000 Polish civilians during World War 2. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has now announced that exhumations of the bodies will begin, thanks to cooperation between Poland and Ukraine’s cultural ministries. While Poland describes the massacre as genocide, Ukraine disputes this, viewing it as part of a broader conflict. The dispute intensified after Ukraine banned the search for Polish victims in 2017, but recent efforts, including a joint commemoration by presidents Duda and Zelensky, aim to heal wounds. Meanwhile, Tusk has accused Russia of plotting terrorist acts against Western airlines : see

Giorgi Gakharia, former prime minister and leader of the opposition party For Georgia, is in hospital with facial and head injuries, after a brutal assault by several men in a hotel lobby. His health was later confirmed to be stable. His party, calling this a politically motivated attack, accused the government of attempting to intimidate opposition voices. Georgia’s ongoing political crisis intensified after the disputed October parliamentary elections. Protests against the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party have erupted in Tbilisi and other cities, particularly after the government’s announcement to delay EU accession talks. The protests have led to widespread crackdowns, including arrests and beatings, drawing criticism from human rights groups. The attack on Gakharia follows similar assaults on opposition members and journalists.