Missiles up, watchdogs out, waters rising: Germany fires up Arrow 3, allies bankroll Ukraine arms, Ofcom probes platforms, court checks NY AG, Scotland reviews child exploitation networks, Russia swaps cosmonauts after SpaceX scare, Indonesia flood toll soars—plus a scarecrow wedding and Guz Khan’s Lapland detour

Scarecrows Say I Do, Love Triangle Sprouts In The Corn
First look at Julia Donaldson's joyful love story, where two devoted scarecrows meticulously plan the perfect wedding until a rival struts in and threatens to unravel it. Romance among the hay, intrigue among the crows, and proof that even a cornfield cannot keep out melodrama.
Guz Khan Heads North, The Farooqis Meet Lapland
Guz Khan's new Christmas comedy whisks the Farooqi family to Lapland on the back of Dad's surprise bonus, straight into a blizzard of festive chaos, misadventures, and snow-globe family drama. Nothing says holiday spirit like airport thermals and wildly optimistic itineraries.
Scotland Launches National Review Of Child Exploitation Networks
Under sustained pressure, the Scottish Government will commission a nationwide review of group-based child sexual exploitation, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, former head of the UK inquiry into child sexual abuse. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth says the work will be conducted with the utmost respect for victims and guided by evidence to understand scale, nature, and responses. Party leaders will receive briefings with Professor Jay and Police Scotland in the new year.
Germany Switches On Arrow 3, Buys Into Israel's Long-Range Shield
Germany has activated initial components of the Arrow 3 missile defense system purchased from Israel, tapping the long-range interceptor that anchors Israel's layered defenses. Berlin is borrowing a page from Israel's playbook, seeking to counter long-range threats while learning from a system tested under fire.
Appeals Court Checks New York AG In Crisis Pregnancy Center Case
A federal appeals court sided with anti-abortion centers, limiting Attorney General Letitia James's crackdown and allowing the centers to continue services and messaging while litigation proceeds. A legal setback for the AG, a procedural win for the centers, and another reminder that in the culture wars even attorneys general sometimes take a timeout.
Ofcom Probes Platforms Over Illegal Hate And Terror Content
Ofcom has launched a compliance program to assess how major social media platforms remove illegal hate and terrorist content, amid reports of a surge in antisemitic posts on X after the October attack at Manchester's Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. Chief Dame Melanie Dawes warned that significant failures could trigger public enforcement action. One major platform will undergo a full review by April, and early evidence suggests moderation systems need to improve, with community groups reporting high volumes of antisemitic and anti-Muslim abuse.
Russia Swaps Cosmonauts After Alleged SpaceX Security Breach
Veteran Oleg Artemyev has been reassigned from the Crew-12 mission after allegations he photographed restricted SpaceX materials, with Andrey Fedyaev stepping in. Space diplomacy now includes camera roll audits, because nothing says trust like treating a cosmonaut's photo album as classified cargo.
Allies Buy U.S. Arms For Ukraine, Contractors Keep The Meter Running
Europe and Canada are set to buy about 4.3 billion euros in U.S. weapons for Ukraine this year, according to Mark Rutte. Washington is slowing its own deliveries while nudging allies to purchase and donate instead, a transatlantic arrangement where the aid moves, the labels still read Made in the USA, and the invoices clear right on time.
Indonesia Floods Death Toll Rises To 702
Catastrophic floods and landslides on Sumatra have killed at least 702 people, with hundreds more missing. Severe weather linked to a tropical cyclone is hampering already difficult rescue operations. Authorities continue search efforts as communities face devastated infrastructure and urgent humanitarian needs.