There are likely to be no giant pandas in the UK, US or Australia by the end of 2024 as China recalls the diplomatic animal. It’s thought by next year there will be no pandas in the US for the first time in five decades. Pandas are valuable diplomatic tools for China, serving as a litmus test for international relations. Experts say the recall reflects a tactical hardening and approach. “You had the panda diplomacy and lately it’s been wolf warrior diplomacy,” according to Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics Director Professor Robert Koepp.

A small group of unloved men are protesting on the streets of Japan. The Christmas holidays are a time to be with loved ones but that’s exactly the problem for these sad protesters. A small group called the Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular Men has taken to the streets of Tokyo. The group marched in their annual demonstration against Christmas Eve. The group argue the day is unfair to people who haven’t got a date or simply people who are unlucky in love.

Veterinarian and TV personality Dr Katrina Warren sat down with Sky News Australia to discuss what pet owners should be doing to keep their animals safe during the heat. “The heat’s a big one, obviously I say to everyone keep your pets indoors if you can,” Dr Warren told Sky News Australia. “Particularly if it’s hot make sure your pets are somewhere where they can relax in air con if possible. “If they’re outdoors make sure you’ve got water that’s in the shade. “Just don’t leave your pets in cars even with the windows down on a hot day because the temperature inside the car can still heat up to deadly.”

Veterinarian and TV personality Dr Katrina Warren discusses what people can do during the bushfire season to keep their pets safe. “Biggest thing people can do, if you’re in a bushfire area is actually just make an evacuation plan with your family and your friends,” Dr Warren told Sky News Australia. “Bring your pets indoors, if you think you’re going to evacuate make sure you have your secure carry cages ready to go. “If you’ve got medication for your pets make sure it’s in an airtight container. “My message for the holidays is to have your pet’s ID up to date.”

Pope Francis has called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. The Pope delivered Christmas messages and Christmas Eve mass in St Peters Square. Pope Francis spoke to over 6,500 worshippers. The pontiff warned his followers against the quest for worldly power. He has also urged people to turn their attention to victims of war.

Surf Life Saving Australia Lifesaving National Chair Chris Jacobson says Australians should go to BeachSafe.org.au to see where the “closest life saving service is” to people around the country before they go swimming at the beach. Christmas Day at the beach is an annual tradition for many Australians right across the nation, so people should spare a thought for the thousands of Surf Life Savers volunteering their time today to make sure the rest of the country is safe. “The main message that we’re putting out is to go to BeachSafe.org.au and that website … [shows] where the closest life saving service is to you around the country,” Mr Jacobson told Sky News Australia. “We’re really urging to you – please make sure, where you can, swim between those red and yellow flags. “We’ve got a number of life saving services right across the country here over the festive period and we really want to make sure that you’re going home to your loved ones safe. “Last year, unfortunately, we saw 125 coastal drowning deaths occur and we’re really trying to do the best that we can – our fellow lifesavers want to make sure we’re having a fun, safe and enjoyable time.”

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The Mawson station in Antarctica is the longest continuously operating station south of the Antarctic Circle. It is the most westerly of Australia's three continental stations and is more than 5,000 km south-west of Perth. But the cold conditions haven't stopped those living there from enjoying a Christmas continental breakfast. Australian Antarctic Program’s Ben John says the team at the station will have a “huge lunch” followed by a “huge dinner”. “We have a Secret Santa happening at midday today so a lot of people have either made presents on the station over the past few weeks or brought them down with them.”

Mission Australia’s annual Christmas lunch serves as a “special” and “important symbol” of the “compassion” within the community, the charity's Western Australia and Northern Territory State Director Sue Budalich says. This year marks the 48th year of Mission Australia’s Christmas lunch, providing joy and hope to those who are doing it tough. About 1,500 people and more than 300 volunteers have turned up for Australia’s largest Christmas lunch of its kind today. “Christmas lunch in the park … really serves as a special, special symbol and an important symbol of the care and compassion within the community,” Ms Budalich told Sky News Australia. “It’s an amazing opportunity over here and our guests make [it] feel extremely [welcoming].”

Drought Angels Founder Natasha Johnston says her charity was started to support Australian farmers with financial assistance and emotional wellbeing support through natural disasters. The charity was established in 2014 to respond to the needs of primary producers who were impacted by drought in Queensland. They have since expanded to provide financial assistance, food hampers, care packs and emotional wellbeing support to over 4,700 farmers in 1,300 communities across Australia. “We originally started in 2014, supporting our farmers throughout drought, and over those 10 years we’ve expanded into all natural disasters,” Ms Johnston told Sky News Australia. “We support our farmers Australia-wide through fires, floods, droughts, mice plagues, pandemics, cyclones, you name it. “We support our farmers with a lot of financial assistance and emotional wellbeing support as well.”

The Wayside Chapel in Sydney has fed around 1,000 Sydneysiders experiencing homelessness today. Their annual Christmas Day Street Party is back, with Hughes Street in Kings Cross transformed to host the free seated Christmas lunch, complete with all the trimmings for people with nowhere to go this Christmas. “It takes a cast of hundreds to feed 1,000 people, and for a few weeks now, the plans have been on in earnest,” Wayside Chapel Chief Executive and Pastor Jon Owen told Sky News Australia. “It all comes together in a celebration of community and love, and an outpouring of joy as they’ve all got a bellyful of a beautiful Christmas lunch with all the trimmings – with prawn cocktails, and a plate piled high with ham and potato salad and a beautiful tomato salad, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options and vegan options. “Santa’s been very busy and we’ve just been sharing in that celebration of community, which is a great way of ending and bringing to a close, just for a short period of time, that loneliness that many of us are feeling at this time of year.”

Local surgeons have developed a new surgical procedure that is giving some patients the ability to enjoy Christmas feasts again. A new keyhole surgery has been developed which takes surgeons less than two hours to implant a small device that keeps acid in the stomach. The device, called the RefluxStop, is made of medical-grade silicone, and sits in a pouch on the outside of the stomach to hold the anatomy in its proper position. The RefluxStop helps the muscular valve at the top of the stomach to allow food in but stop acid leaking out. The introduction of the device comes just in time for Christmas, allowing lucky recipients to indulge in their holiday feasts.

Authorities have recovered the body of a teenager on Queensland’s Fraser Coast. Police say the boy went water-tubing on the Mary River on Sunday, but concerns were raised for his welfare after he failed to resurface from the water. A widespread search was launched before he was discovered last night. His death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police and Australia's motoring bodies have issued a plea for drivers to slow down and adhere to road conditions. Road deaths across the nation have reached a 5-year-high with concerns it could increase further. Drivers are asked to be realistic with journey deadlines, be extra alert and drive to the conditions. Police are also recommending drivers take breaks more often, double-check loads are secure and, most importantly, stay safe. Double demerits are now in force in New South Wales and Western Australia.

Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures Professor Joe Siracusa says there’s “just no saving” US President Joe Biden. “The President’s Israeli policy has failed, his Ukrainian policy will fail,” he told Sky News Australia. “This is not a very good foreign policy President. “I think the rest of his party is just praying that he will go away.” Professor Siracusa said Democrats don’t want to “go down the tubes” with President Biden at the next election.

Designer meat, AI dieticians and weather-resistant vegetables are among the expected advancements as experts work to feed a growing global population. A new report has highlighted the urgent challenges and hinted at major changes to how we’ll get our food in the future. The world has a growing protein problem - traditional farming and food production can’t keep up with the pace of population growth. It is estimated there will be 10 billion humans by 2050, and experts say that is too many for cattle, chickens and other protein sources to support alone. “We should be well-placed here in Australia to produce alternative proteins and to work with the current offerings to really make it better available to our people,” Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy said.

Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures Professor Joe Siracusa says Israel is going “full throttle” in Gaza. “A lot of American people blame Biden for his inability so far to do anything with the Israelis,” he told Sky News Australia. “Who are going full throttle in Gaza. “They’ve turned it into a shooting alley – I mean, it’s very, very sad to see.” Professor Siracusa’s remarks come as Israel continues its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

A bushfire warning is in place for residents in Western Australia’s south-west this Christmas. This comes as the state continues to endure soaring temperatures. The areas of Callcup and Crowea in the Shire of Manjimup are under a Watch and Act Alert. Dozens of homes have been destroyed after the state faced seven emergency bushfires late last week. There are several fires at Advice level this Christmas Day.

Aviation experts claim the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 may have been hijacked by an “experienced pilot” when it disappeared in 2014. In March 2014, MH370 was carrying 239 passengers, including six Australians, and vanished without a trace while on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Aeronautics expert Jean-Luc Marchand and pilot Patrick Blelly say the search area could be covered in just 10 days using new technology. They believe the pilot intentionally depressurised the cabin and performed a controlled ditching away from the flight path to reduce debris and hinder search efforts. The two also noted the location and suddenness of the plane’s change in direction in what they described as a radar “no man’s land” outside Malaysian airspace.

More than 10 people have died, and dozens more are injured after an explosion at a nickel plant in Indonesia. Nine of the victims were Indonesian, and four were Chinese. The incident unfolded after repair work on a furnace mixed with flammable liquid ignited and caused oxygen tanks to explode. It took crews several hours to bring the fireball under control. The Chinese-funded plant said it would cover the cost of treatments for victims.