First flight of 2026 under UK ‘one in, one out’ asylum scheme cancelled 07. January 2026 (13:55) Detainees under scheme to return people entering UK on small boats told their plane tickets have been cancelledThe first flight of 2026 to return asylum seekers who came to the UK on small boats to France has been cancelled, the Guardian understands.Detainees earmarked for the UK government’s “one in, one out” scheme who had tickets for a flight on Wednesday morning to Paris were told their tickets had been cancelled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yemen separatist leader to make last stand after rejecting Saudi ultimatum, supporters say 07. January 2026 (13:47) Saudi airstrikes hit Aidarous al-Zubaidi’s military camps after he defies a demand to travel to Riyadh for talksThe leader of Yemen’s routed southern separatist movement, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has decided to make a defiant last stand in Aden, his supporters say, rejecting a Saudi ultimatum to travel to Riyadh for talks and – for now – a plan to flee the southern capital.Al-Zubaidi, the president of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has been gathering his remaining troops in Aden as rival Saudi-backed forces seek to take control of Aden. His supporters say his mood is to fight it out although he knows it is likely there will be an attempt to kill him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France and allies discuss response to possible US invasion of Greenland 07. January 2026 (13:23) French, German and Polish foreign ministers to meet amid escalating threats to seize part of Danish kingdomEurope live – latest updatesFrance has said it is working with allies on how to react if the US were to invade Greenland, amid mounting tension over Donald Trump’s escalating threats to take over the Arctic territory.The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said the subject would be discussed at a meeting with the German and Polish foreign ministers on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK construction hit by worst run since global financial crisis 07. January 2026 (13:08) Output shrank for 12th month in a row in December, while housebuilding in deepest slump since 2020Business live – latest updatesBritain’s construction sector has recorded its worst run since the financial crisis almost two decades ago, with housebuilding mired in the deepest slump since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020.UK construction output shrank for the 12th month in a row in December, the longest unbroken run of declines since the global financial crash of 2007-09, although there were signs of optimism among companies, according to a monthly industry survey. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump claims Venezuela is set for an oil boom after US attack – history points to a bumpy road ahead 07. January 2026 (13:00) From Venezuela to Libya to Iraq, removal of dictators has not always guaranteed a surge in oil production, data showsHours after Nicolás Maduro was captured by US special forces in Venezuela and indicted on drugs, weapons and “narco-terrorism” charges, Donald Trump spoke extensively about his plans for something else entirely: oil.Venezuela’s oil reserves – reputedly the world’s largest – are set to be pumped by a parade of powerful US oil companies, according to the US president, most of whom have not operated in the country in decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Astounding’ vaccine change puts US behind peer countries, experts warn 07. January 2026 (12:00) Scientists predict increased disease outbreaks after Trump officials no longer recommend third of childhood vaccinesThe bombshell announcement that the Trump administration no longer fully recommends a third of childhood vaccines means the US moved from leading globally on vaccination to lagging behind other high-income nations in preventing disease, experts say.The move is the latest and most significant escalation against vaccines from Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine skeptic and current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices fall after Trump says Venezuela will send up to 50m barrels to US 07. January 2026 (11:56) Deal would give US president power to sell up to $3bn-worth of crude stranded in tankers and storage facilitiesBusiness live – latest updatesGlobal oil prices have fallen by more than 1% after Donald Trump said Venezuela would hand over 30m to 50m barrels of the country’s blockaded crude to the US.The deal would give the US president the power to sell up to $3bn (£2.2bn) worth of Venezuelan crude stranded in tankers and storage facilities into an already oversupplied global market. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump indicates that Venezuela is responding to demands for ‘total access’ for US oil companies – US politics live 07. January 2026 (11:54) Statement on supposed agreement with Venezuelan government follows Trump’s threats of further military interventionMy colleague Jakub Krupa is reporting in more detail on the European reaction to Trump’s comments and potential plans for Greenland. You can follow that here:Donald Trump’s administration is freezing more than $10bn in federal childcare and family assistance funds to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said, citing what it called concerns about fraud and misuse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minister rejects claim tougher drink-driving rules will kill off rural pubs – UK politics live 07. January 2026 (11:54) Minister says evidence from Scotland suggests cutting drink-drive limit does not have a ‘significant impact’ on pub tradeFarage is now talking about London, where council elections are taking place.He says that Sadiq Khan has said he will run for a fourth term as mayor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe live: Russia reportedly deploys naval escort for oil tanker near Iceland 07. January 2026 (11:43) Ageing vessel had previously been involved in Venezuelan oil exportsHead of Zelenskyy’s office, Kyrylo Budanov, offered a bit more detail on the talks, stressing however that “not all details of these discussions can be made public at this stage.”“However, tangible results have already been achieved, and the work is ongoing. The national interests of Ukraine will be protected,” he stressed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
