Police arrest two men accused of absconding from HMP Leyhill 07. January 2026 (17:49) Officers find murderer Matthew Armstrong, 35, in Warwickshire and Daniel Washbourne, 40, in BristolA convicted murderer and a second man have been arrested after allegedly absconding from an open prison on New Year’s Day, police have said.Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, left HMP Leyhill, South Gloucestershire, between 5pm and 8pm on 1 January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform London mayor candidate accused of talking down capital with ‘pity’ remark 07. January 2026 (17:24) Laila Cunningham tells press conference that people pity Londoners for having to live in a city that is ‘no longer safe’UK politics live – latest updatesReform’s new London mayoral candidate has been accused of “talking down” the UK’s capital, after she said that people “pity” Londoners.Laila Cunningham, a former senior crown prosecutor and a Reform Westminster city councillor, used a central London press conference to paint a picture of the capital as a crime-ridden metropolis, billing herself as “a new sheriff in town” who was would, if elected, launch “an all-out war on crime”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says 07. January 2026 (17:23) John Healey confirms RAF provided extra surveillance and navy refuelling while capture under wayEurope live – latest updatesBritain’s Ministry of Defence said it had provided military help to the US forces that seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker north-west of the British Isles, arguing the operation was legitimate because the vessel had breached sanctions on Iran.John Healey, the defence secretary, said the UK had allowed US aircraft to use bases to prepare for and carry out the mission, while the RAF had provided extra surveillance and the navy refuelling while the final capture was under way. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘How is it possible?’: Berliners demand answers after sabotage causes blackout 07. January 2026 (17:20) Arson attack that left parts of German capital in darkness for days stirs outrage over infrastructure insecurityEurope live – latest updatesWhen Silke Peters bought a crank radio and a camping stove just after the start of Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine, her husband thought she was “a little crazy”. “He put me down, only half-jokingly, as a prepper,” she said, referring to the kind of person who stockpiles in case of catastrophe.For almost four years, the items gathered dust in the cellar of the Peters’ two-room flat in Zehlendorf, a well-to-do district of Berlin. But in recent days the windup radio – with its inbuilt torch and charge point – has come into its own during Germany’s longest power cut since the second world war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic after two-week pursuit 07. January 2026 (16:56) US coastguard reportedly boards the Marinera, facing no resistance but risking confrontation with MoscowEurope live – latest updatesThe US has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean in a high-stakes operation that could risk confrontation with the Kremlin after Moscow reportedly dispatched a submarine to safeguard the vessel.The Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, “was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro”, US European Command said in a post on X. US media reported that the country’s coastguard had successfully boarded the oil tanker, facing no resistance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shadow attorney general will not advise Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine over Roman Abramovich link 07. January 2026 (16:54) David Wolfson is part of the legal team attempting to recover some of Russian billionaire’s frozen assetsUK politics live – latest updatesThe shadow attorney general, David Wolfson, has recused himself from giving advice to Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine and Russia because he is representing the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in a court case, the Conservatives have announced.This would prevent him from offering advice on the possible deployment of UK troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration reportedly warns Maduro ally Diosdado Cabello could be next 07. January 2026 (16:15) Washington signals interior minister must back acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, or face Nicolás Maduro’s fateThe Trump administration has reportedly put Venezuela’s hardline interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, on notice that he could be next to fall if he does not support the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, who has been in power since the Nicolás Maduro was seized on Saturday.Reuters reported that US officials are “especially concerned” that Cabello – long seen by many as the regime’s real No 2 – could sabotage Washington’s plan to keep key figures from Maduro’s inner circle in place in the name of stability while pursuing a transition, and provide unrestricted access to Venezuela’s oil. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Highly transmissible flu strain infects more than 2,500 Australians 07. January 2026 (15:00) Unseasonably high rate of influenza, dubbed Super-K, comes as vaccination rates plummet among those most vulnerable, GPs sayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 2,500 Australians have rung in the new year with a highly transmissible new strain of influenza, and health authorities are on alert for what could be Australia’s worst year since tracking began 35 years ago.Last year’s record, when more than half a million Australians contracted a laboratory-certified form of flu and 1,508 people died, was a 44% increase on the 2024 mortality rate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Warner Bros Discovery tells investors to reject latest $108bn hostile Paramount bid 07. January 2026 (14:52) Board unwilling to accept hostile takeover despite $40bn guarantee from billionaire Larry EllisonWarner Bros Discovery (WBD) has again told its shareholders to reject an “inadequate” $108.4bn (£80bn) hostile takeover bid by Paramount Skydance amid an extraordinary corporate battle to control the media conglomerate.Paramount, controlled by the billionaire Ellison family, had sought to combat WBD’s criticism of its offer and claims it had “consistently misled” investors by saying it had a “full backstop” – a safety net to ensure it has sufficient funds – from the Ellisons. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage dismisses racist and antisemitic school bullying claims as ‘made up fantasies’ 07. January 2026 (14:39) Reform UK leader says accusations about his behaviour at Dulwich college were politically motivatedNigel Farage has called allegations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his time at Dulwich college “completely made up fantasy”, saying his accusers are “people with very obvious political motivation”.More than 30 people have spoken to the Guardian as part of an investigation based on multiple accounts of racism, including Peter Ettedgui, 61, an Emmy- and Bafta-winning director, who recalled Farage growling repeatedly “Hitler was right” or “Gas them” at him when they were at school. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
