Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk 05. January 2026 (19:18) Owner Modella starts insolvency proceedings for both chains, saying trading is ‘extremely challenging’The retailers Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of administration, putting 2,550 jobs at risk.Both chains are owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, which recently bought the high street arm of WH Smith – renamed TG Jones. Modella said in a statement that the climate on UK high streets was “extremely challenging” and data suggested “an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Colombian president says ‘I will take up arms again’ if US invades 05. January 2026 (19:11) Gustavo Petro makes remark after Trump threatens military action similar to Venezuela ‘Naked imperialism’: how Trump intervention in Venezuela is a return to form for the USDonald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, saying the South American country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shortage of NHS stroke specialists resulting in thousands dead or disabled, say doctors 05. January 2026 (19:00) Exclusive: Lack of consultants in UK health service means patients do not get drugs or surgery in time, say senior medicsThousands of people who have had a stroke are ending up severely disabled or dying because the NHS has too few specialists to treat them quickly enough, senior doctors are warning.A chronic shortage of stroke consultants across the NHS means that patients are suffering horrendous consequences because of delays in getting clot-busting drugs and surgery, they said.70% of stroke units are short of at least one consultant in stroke care, and many are two down.53 of 84 hospitals that responded had vacancies for a total of 96 consultants.The NHS relies heavily on locum doctors to fill holes in the workforce caused by the difficulty in recruiting new consultants.10% of the NHS’s 423 substantive (permanent) consultants are due to retire in the next five years, exacerbating the existing shortage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy forces out Ukrainian spy chief who led daring raids against Russia 05. January 2026 (19:00) Vasyl Malyuk reportedly unwilling to leave post as head of the Security Service but will now lead special operationsThe spy chief who led Ukraine’s most audacious behind-the-lines operations in its war with Russia has been forced to resign by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Vasyl Malyuk, who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine last year, reportedly fought to stay in post as head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) but relented on Monday at a meeting with the president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK accused of ‘empty rhetoric’ over plan to hike council tax 5% in Derbyshire 05. January 2026 (18:46) Four Reform-led councils want to raise tax by maximum allowed amount with more areas not being ruled outA Reform-led local authority has confirmed it is planning to increase council tax by the maximum allowed amount, despite promises during the local election to reduce taxes.Derbyshire county council confirmed the rise after predicting a £38m gap in its budget, with overspends in children’s social care and adult social care. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stanford students face trial over felony charges stemming from pro-Palestinian protest 05. January 2026 (18:04) Trial is the most severe criminal case brought against US students who staged protests against Israel’s war in GazaFive Stanford University students are facing trial beginning on Monday over felony charges stemming from a pro-Palestinian protest on campus – the most severe criminal case brought against some of the thousands of students who staged nationwide protests and encampments against Israel’s war in Gaza.The northern California students are part of a group of 12 who were charged with felony conspiracy to trespass and felony vandalism in connection to an hour-long, June 2024 occupation during which the group barricaded themselves inside the university president’s office to demand Stanford consider a student resolution to divest from Israel, among other requests. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US traders make big profits betting on Maduro’s capture in January 05. January 2026 (17:44) Arrest of Venezuelan president appears to have been anticipated on ‘prediction markets’ where people bet on future events Gamblers appear to have made large profits after successfully betting on the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.Ahead of Donald Trump’s shock announcement on Saturday morning, traders seemed to have anticipated Maduro’s political demise by placing timely wagers on so-called “prediction markets”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Novo Nordisk launches Wegovy weight-loss pill in US, triggering price war 05. January 2026 (17:33) First and only GLP-1 pill on the market costs significantly less than injectable versionsThe first pill version of the blockbuster GLP-1 weight loss drugs has been launched in the US by Novo Nordisk at a lower cost than jab varieties, accelerating a price war in the sector.The Danish pharmaceutical company said on Monday that its once-a-day Wegovy pill, which received approval from the US regulator just before Christmas, was now available in the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pete Hegseth issues formal censure to Democratic senator Mark Kelly 05. January 2026 (17:24) US defense secretary also started proceedings that could strip Kelly from retired military rank and cut pensionDefense secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday that he had issued a formal censure to Democratic senator Mark Kelly and initiated proceedings that could strip the Arizona lawmaker of his retired military rank and cut his pension, escalating a dispute that began when Kelly urged service members to resist unlawful orders.Just days after a covert mission to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and strike the capital city, Hegseth announced that Kelly faces retirement grade determination proceedings, a rare administrative action that could see the former astronaut and navy captain demoted in his retired rank. Hegseth accused Kelly of making “seditious statements” that undermined military discipline. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Delcy Rodríguez strikes conciliatory tone with US after Trump warning 05. January 2026 (17:19) Venezuela’s interim leader offers to work with US after Trump threatened she could pay ‘very big price’Analysis: Delcy Rodríguez must walk tightrope as Venezuela’s interim leaderVenezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has offered to work with the US, dialing down the confrontational tone she intially adopted after the capture of the dictator Nicolás Maduro.In a statement late on Sunday, Rodríguez said she had “invited the US government to work together on an agenda of cooperation”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
