Explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Venezuelan capital Caracas – live 03. January 2026 (08:49) Multiple loud explosions were reported in Caracas at about 2am on SaturdayVenezuela’s government has now commented on the explosions, which it says were due to attacks on the country.The attacks took place in Caracas and Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira states, the government says in a statement carried by Reuters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Explosions reported in Venezuelan capital Caracas 03. January 2026 (08:10) Loud noises and low-flying aircraft heard in the Venezuelan capital and a southern part of the city was without power Explosions, loud noises and low-flying aircraft have been heard in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, amid reports that Donald Trump had ordered strikes against the South American country.In the early hours of Saturday the president of neighbouring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that Venezuela was coming under attack. “Right now they are bombing Caracas … bombing it with missiles,” Petro wrote on X, calling for an immediate emergency session of the UN security council. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen z 03. January 2026 (08:00) Platform is now Britain’s fourth most visited social media site as users seek out human-generated contentReddit, the online discussion platform, has overtaken TikTok as Britain’s fourth most visited social media service, as search algorithms and gen Z have dramatically transformed its prominence.The platform has undergone huge growth over the last two years, with an 88% increase in the proportion of UK internet users it reaches. Three in five Brits online now encounter the site, up from a third in 2023, according to Ofcom. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We will grind you down’: how rogue peers became Labour’s toughest opponents 03. January 2026 (07:00) As Labour seeks abolition of hereditary peers, Tory-dominated House of Lords has inflicted near-record number of defeats on No 10Dining in the House of Lords canteen just after Labour came to power, one Labour adviser found themselves sitting opposite two Tory peers.In particular, the pair were fuming about the forthcoming abolition of hereditary peers. Both agreed, the adviser said, that there should be a deliberate strategy to undermine the government on all its legislation, to slow down debate, and to push the new Lords leader, Angela Smith, to ask No 10 for concessions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tents supplied to displaced Palestinians ‘inadequate for Gaza winter’ 03. January 2026 (06:00) Thousands have blown down in storms and tents from China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia found to be not waterproofThousands of tents supplied by China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to shelter displaced Palestinians in Gaza offer only limited protection against rain and wind, an assessment compiled by shelter specialists in the devastated territory has revealed.The assessment will undermine claims that Palestinians in Gaza are being supplied with adequate shelter. Fierce storms in recent weeks blew down or damaged thousands of tents, affecting at least 235,000 people, according to UN estimates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Sunshine Saturday’: UK firms expect 5% January rise in holiday bookings 03. January 2026 (06:00) Quieter destinations, such as Malta’s sister island, Gozo, and long-haul locations are expected to be popularUK travel companies are bracing for one of their busiest periods for bookings as winter-wearied consumers plan sunny breaks, with package holiday bookings forecast to be up 5% this January.The Civil Aviation Authority, the regulator that administers the Atol travel financial protection scheme, has forecast that 200,000 more holidaymakers will book trips this month compared with the 4.3 million who did so in the same period last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW Labor accused of rushing inquiry into banning phrases such as ‘globalise the intifada’ over the holidays 03. January 2026 (05:44) State opposition leader says inquiry established ‘with no notice, no public hearings and an impossibly short deadline’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into banning phrases including “globalise the intifada” will not any hold public hearings and has a matter of days to receive submissions before it produces its final report.The NSW opposition has expressed concern that the Labor-controlled inquiry, established to investigate the banning of “hateful statements” after the deadly Bondi attack, was being rushed through, limiting the ability of communities to consult on legislative changes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police to carry long-arm rifles at final Ashes Test in Sydney amid heightened security after Bondi attack 03. January 2026 (01:57) Decision to carry the weapons at SCG not due to active or imminent threat but ‘to help the public feel safe’, NSW police chief saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice will carry long-arm rifles at the final Ashes Test in Sydney as police presence continues to be heightened after the Bondi terror attack.New South Wales police said public order and riot squad officers would carry the weapons at the fifth and final Ashes Test, which starts on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), after similar measures were implemented at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and New Year’s Eve events in Sydney. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US woman charged with fetal homicide after allegedly inducing own abortion 03. January 2026 (00:17) Kentucky woman reportedly ordered medication to end her pregnancy and buried remains in her yardA Kentucky woman is facing multiple criminal charges after she allegedly induced her own abortion using medication.Kentucky state police arrested the woman, Melinda S Spencer, 35, on charges of fetal homicide in the first degree, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, according to a local Kentucky news outlet. Spencer reportedly ordered medication online to end her pregnancy, then buried the remains of her pregnancy in her backyard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man dies after shooting in Melbourne’s inner north 02. January 2026 (23:48) Police investigation continues after fatal shooting in Fitzroy on Saturday nightHomicide detectives are investigating after a man was shot dead in Melbourne’s inner north on Saturday night.Gunshots were heard at the intersection of Brunswick and King William streets in Fitzroy just after midnight. Police found a man with life-threatening injuries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
