Collapse of ‘zombie’ UK firms forecast to fuel unemployment in 2026 05. January 2026 (01:01) Businesses being hit by rising cost of interest rates, energy costs and wages, says Resolution FoundationThe UK is poised for a rise in unemployment in 2026 fuelled by the collapse of “zombie” companies that have struggled to adapt to a rise in business costs, according to a report.At the start of what could be a pivotal year for the economy, the Resolution Foundation said businesses were grappling with a “triple whammy” of multiyear increases in interest rates, energy prices and the minimum wage that could “finish off” some underperforming companies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three arrested at Sydney protest against US military’s forcible removal of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela 05. January 2026 (00:51) About 300 people turned out in Sydney despite NSW police prohibition on public demonstrations, as protests across Australia condemn US actionsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThree people were arrested in Sydney on Sunday evening during a protest against the US military intervention in Venezuela.About 300 people turned out on Sydney’s streets in spite of a New South Wales police prohibition on public demonstrations, made in late December using laws passed after 15 people were killed and scores injured in the Bondi beach alleged terror attack targeting a Hanukah event. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
High tides and heavy rain flood parts of California’s Bay Area 05. January 2026 (00:41) King tides cause highest floodwaters in decades for area, while people are rescued from trapped cars and roads closeHigh tides and heavy rains have flooded parts of the Bay Area, prompting road closures and rescues of people trapped in cars.Five northern counties remained under a flood watch, with up to 3in (7.6cm) of rain possible through Monday night in areas that have been drenched off and on since around Christmas, said the National Weather Service office in Eureka. At least a foot (0.3 meters) of snow was likely in the mountains. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Evangeline Lilly reveals she has brain damage after hitting her head in fall 05. January 2026 (00:29) Marvel, Lost and Hobbit actor says ‘almost every area in my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity’ after she fainted and fell face-first into a boulderEvangeline Lilly has revealed she has brain damage, months after she suffered a concussion when she fainted and fell face-first into a boulder.The 46-year-old Canadian actor, known for her roles in Lost, The Hobbit films and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shared the “bad news” video on her Instagram, one of many updates she has shared since she suffered the traumatic brain injury (TBI) in May, when she fainted on a beach and hit her head on a rock. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s plans to seize asylum seekers’ phones condemned by campaigners 04. January 2026 (23:30) People who are sent to Manston processing centre will be eligible for searches for electronic devices from MondayHome Office plans to immediately begin seizing asylum seekers’ mobile phones and sim cards without the need for an arrest have been condemned by a solicitor and anti-torture campaigners.People who arrive by small boat and are sent to Manston processing centre in Kent will from Monday be eligible for searches for electronic devices, a minister has said, with technology on site to download data. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Respect our privacy’: family of Tommy Lee Jones after his daughter’s death 04. January 2026 (23:09) Victoria Jones, daughter of US film actor, was found unresponsive at a San Francisco hotel on New Year’s DayThe family of actor Tommy Lee Jones has asked for privacy following the loss of his daughter, Victoria Jones, who was found dead on New Year’s Day at a San Francisco hotel.“We appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers,” the family said in a statement. “Please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Venezuelans under TPS can apply for refugee status, Kristi Noem says 04. January 2026 (22:51) Homeland security secretary says Venezuelan leader needs to protect America against drug trafficking and terroristsKristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, said on Sunday that the US wants a leader in Venezuela who will be “a partner that understands that we’re going to protect America” to stop drug trafficking and “terrorists from coming into our country”.Noem indicated in an interview on Fox News Sunday that the immigration status of Venezuelan nationals living in the US under temporary protected status (TPS) was part of an administration-wide decision-making process that her department would follow. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Protests erupt in US cities over Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela 04. January 2026 (22:02) Hundreds came out to protest in large cities coast to coast, even as many in the diaspora celebrated ousting of Maduro Protests bubbled up in several US cities over the weekend as people demonstrated against the Trump administration’s unilateral military intervention in Venezuela – even as many in the diaspora publicly celebrated the forced removal of president Nicolás Maduro.Gatherings took place as crowds expressed opposition to a potential war with Venezuela and to declare illegal the US operation to snatch Maduro early on Saturday and bring him to the US to face drug-trafficking charges in court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump warns of ‘big price to pay’ if Caracas fails to toe line 04. January 2026 (21:20) Washington keeping 15,000-strong military presence in Caribbean in case interim president hinders US objectivesUS politics liveThe prospect of the United States seizing direct control of Venezuela appeared to recede on Sunday after the shocking seizure of President Nicolás Maduro – but US officials said Washington was keeping a 15,000-strong force in the Caribbean and might make a fresh military intervention if Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, did not accommodate their demands.While Rodríguez kept up a defiant tone in public, the substance of conversations she had had in private with US officials was not clear. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Damien Martyn awake from coma in ‘unbelievable’ recovery from meningitis 04. January 2026 (20:40) Cricket veteran in good spirits and hopeful of moving out of intensive care as recovery continuesDamien Martyn is awake and talking, one week after being placed into an induced coma in a Gold Coast hospital with meningitis. The 54-year-old has been able to talk with friends and family, including ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist, and is said to be overwhelmed with the support offered.“It’s been an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours,” Gilchrist said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
