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)
London Symphony Orchestra announces John Harte as managing director 07. January 2026 (14:24) Harte, who was been Aurora orchestra’s chief executive since 2009, replaces Kathryn McDowellThe London Symphony Orchestra has announced that John Harte will be the orchestra’s next managing director, replacing Dame Kathryn McDowell, who steps down after 20 years in the role at the end of the summer.Harte has been chief executive of Aurora Orchestra since 2009, where, alongside principal conductor Nicholas Collon and creative director Jane Mitchell, he has built the group from a startup into one of the most successful and innovative new British arts organisations in recent decades. Prior to his role with Aurora, Harte worked for the British choral label Collegium and completed a doctorate in Middle Eastern history at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs would get vote on troop deployment to Ukraine, says Keir Starmer 07. January 2026 (14:19) UK and France ready to send peacekeeping troops, PM tells House of CommonsUK politics live – latest updatesMPs will have a debate and vote before any UK troops are deployed on peacekeeping duties in Ukraine, Keir Starmer has announced at prime minister’s questions.Speaking after Britain and France said they would be willing to send troops if there was a peace deal, following discussions at a wider summit in Paris, Starmer was pressed by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, as to why he was not making a full Commons statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US suspends funds for needy families in five Democratic-led states 07. January 2026 (14:14) Administration has alleged fraud in decision to halt grants from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New YorkDonald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that it is withholding funding for programs that support needy families with children in five Democratic-led states over concerns about fraud.The US Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program, will require the states to provide extra documentation to access the funds.The child care and development fund subsidizes day care for low-income households, enabling parents to work or go to school.Temporary assistance for needy families provides cash assistance and job training so parents in poverty can afford diapers and clothes and earn paychecks.The social services block grant, a much smaller fund, supports several different social service programs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brigitte Bardot laid to rest in funeral ceremony broadcast across Saint-Tropez 07. January 2026 (14:09) Service attended by singers, animal rights activists, and public figures including Marine Le PenBrigitte Bardot, the film star turned animal rights activist, will be laid to rest in her home town of Saint-Tropez on Wednesday during a funeral attended by her favourite politician, the far-right leader Marine Le Pen.Bardot died at her La Madrague villa on 28 December aged 91. Her funeral is being held at the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church and broadcast on large screens across the town. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s cost of living ‘getting crazier’ as nearly half of lower-income families worry about affording school shoes 07. January 2026 (14:00) Nine in 10 families are worried about price of back-to-school essentials as inflation continues to bite, research has foundFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesBudgeting for Laura, a single mother of four, often means deciding between buying enough food or paying her electricity bill on time.“Some weeks we’re good, some weeks we’re down and I have to go into the community and ask for vouchers,” she says. The down weeks have been happening more since the pandemic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
