Trump suggests US taxpayers could reimburse oil firms for Venezuela investment 06. January 2026 (11:45) President says a ‘tremendous amount of money’ will need to be spent repairing country’s infrastructureBusiness live – latest updatesVenezuela live – latest updatesDonald Trump has suggested US taxpayers could reimburse energy companies for repairing Venezuelan infrastructure for extracting and shipping oil.Trump acknowledged that “a lot of money” will need to be spent to increase oil production in Venezuela after US forces ousted its leader Nicolás Maduro, but suggested his government could pay oil companies to do the work. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kemi Badenoch says Trump’s Venezuela raid was ‘morally’ right – UK politics live 06. January 2026 (11:44) Conservative leader questions robustness of rules-based international order and says ‘the world has changed’The latest YouGov weekly poll for the Times and Sky News has the Conservatives ahead of Labour for the first time since the general election, Stefan Boscia from the Times reports. Reform UK remains well ahead of both of them.Here are the figures with the changes since the last YouGov poll.RFM 26% (+1)CON 19% (=) Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wes Streeting warns of ‘disintegration’ of rules-based world order after Venezuela attack 06. January 2026 (11:26) UK health secretary declines to criticise Donald Trump directly but suggests he is disturbed by events of recent daysUK politics – live updatesVenezuela crisis – live updatesA senior British cabinet minister had warned of the “disintegration” of the international rules-based system in the aftermath of the US capture of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, saying the instability poses a threat to Britain.Wes Streeting, the health secretary, declined to criticise Donald Trump directly and said that the prime minister, Keir Starmer, did not have the “luxury of commentating” but suggested he was disturbed by the international picture, saying the rules-based order was “creaking at the seams”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Aldi and Lidl grab record Christmas sales share as Asda and Co-op slide 06. January 2026 (10:43) Shoppers hit by rising bills switch to discount chains, supermarket own-label products and buying fewer items Business live – latest updatesThe discounters Aldi and Lidl grabbed their biggest share of Britain’s Christmas grocery market to date, while Asda and the Co-op lost out as shoppers sought out bargains to help offset rising household bills.The German-owned supermarket chains grabbed a 16.8% slice of the market in the four weeks to 28 December, up from 16.3% a year earlier. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brain injuries linked to cognitive issues in domestic violence survivors, Australian study finds 06. January 2026 (10:38) Study into intimate partner violence finds strangulation and head impacts increase risk of long-term memory loss and cognitive disabilitiesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian-first study has strengthened evidence that intimate partner violence can cause lasting brain injuries, leading to memory loss, learning changes and other long-term cognitive problems.A Monash University study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that survivors of domestic violence who experienced repeated head impacts or non-fatal strangulation were more likely to show behavioural and cognitive changes, including impaired memory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour to protect existing MPs above winning more seats at next election, deputy leader says 06. January 2026 (10:04) Party will also teach MPs how to be ‘community leaders’ and take credit for government’s work, Lucy Powell saysLabour will switch to an “incumbency first” model to protect MPs at the next election rather than targeting seats, the deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has told Labour MPs.Powell said the party would support MPs to become “leaders in their communities” and learn how to benefit politically from changes made by the government, which MPs have so far gained little credit for. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Maduro’s legal team includes acclaimed lawyer who represented Julian Assange 06. January 2026 (10:00) Barry Pollack, a US trial lawyer, will take on the case as the captured Venezuelan president’s private counselWhen Nicolás Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, eventually securing the WikiLeaks founder’s release from prison in the UK in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney protest restrictions extended for 14 days as activist group vows to file legal challenge this week 06. January 2026 (09:45) NSW police commissioner says decision ‘not about stopping free speech’ and points to risk of ‘public safety incident’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales police commissioner has extended restrictions on protests in Sydney for another 14 days, citing ongoing community safety concerns following the alleged Bondi terror attack – although he said no further intelligence had come to light to motivate the move.On Tuesday afternoon, Mal Lanyon, announced he would extend a declaration that no public assemblies can be authorised for Sydney’s CBD, south-west and north-west policing areas “in consideration of the ongoing community safety impacts of further protests in the wake of the Bondi attack”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Next expects profits to top £1.1bn after bumper festive sales 06. January 2026 (09:02) Retailer warns that growth this year will be slower amid continuing pressures on UK employmentBusiness live – latest updatesThe high street retailer Next expects its annual profits to top £1.1bn after it rang up much stronger sales than expected over Christmas – but it has warned that 2026 will be tougher amid “continuing pressures on UK employment”.The clothing and homewares retailer said it was improving annual profit forecasts by £15m, its fourth upgrade in nine months, after UK sales rose by 5.9% in the nine weeks to 27 December, far stronger than the 4.1% expected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families affected by Manchester Arena attack say MI5 must be more open to scrutiny 06. January 2026 (08:54) In a letter to Keir Starmer, they say MI5 failed them and the Security Service must be included in a law to stop cover-upsFamilies affected by the Manchester Arena bombing have said MI5 failed them and must be more open to scrutiny.In a letter sent to the prime minister seen by the BBC, the families demanded the Security Service be fully included in a new law designed to stop cover-ups in public life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
