Will Smith accused of ‘predatory behaviour’ and ‘grooming’ by tour violinist 02. January 2026 (12:03) Brian King Joseph claims the rapper and actor was ‘priming’ him for ‘sexual exploitation’. Smith’s lawyer has called the allegations ‘false, baseless and reckless’Will Smith is being sued by a violinist from his 2025 tour, who claims the rapper and actor exhibited “predatory behaviour” and was “deliberately grooming and priming” him for “further sexual exploitation”. Brian King Joseph is also pursuing the performer and his company Treyball Studios Management for wrongful termination and retaliation in a suit filed in the superior court of California.Joseph alleges that he was hired for the tour in support of Smith’s new album, Based on a True Story, after first appearing on stage with Smith in December 2024. The suit claims that Smith once told Joseph, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Switzerland resort fire live: first victim named, as new video shows attempts to extinguish bar ceiling fire 02. January 2026 (11:48) More than 100 people still in hospital, many severely injured, after fire in Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana that killed at least 40A collective grief can be felt in Crans-Montana, writes Angela Giuffrida who is reporting for the Guardian from the Swiss ski resort today:“I’m still trying to digest it,” said Jacques, who was born in Crans, as he drank coffee with his friend in a bar.It’s the grief, as if we have all lost a loved one. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Swiss ski resort fire: many of injured in life-threatening condition, say officials 02. January 2026 (11:27) About 40 people died in Crans-Montana bar fire, with investigators saying it could take days to identify all victimsSwitzerland resort fire – latest updatesInvestigators have said it could take days to identify all the victims who died in the fire that tore through a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, as a local official said many of the injured were in a life-threatening condition.About 40 people were killed in the blaze that engulfed the town’s Le Constellation bar, which was packed with mainly young revellers celebrating the new year, and about 115 others injured, many of them seriously, authorities have said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian pasta makers win reprieve from Trump tariffs 02. January 2026 (11:08) US had accused Italian pasta companies of selling products at unfairly low pricesThe US government has slashed proposed tariffs on Italian pasta that would have almost doubled the cost of many brands for shoppers.Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs as high as 92% on Italian pasta companies, after accusing 13 producers including Barilla, La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo of selling their products at unfairly low prices. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Distractions over Abd el-Fattah were running joke, says ex-Starmer adviser 02. January 2026 (11:07) Paul Ovenden argues time spent discussing political prisoner was symptom of government struggling to focusEfforts to free Alaa Abd el-Fattah regularly distracted Keir Starmer’s government from focusing on bread-and-butter domestic political issues, according to one of the prime minister’s closest former advisers.Paul Ovenden, who stood down last year as the prime minister’s director of strategy, said the case of the British political prisoner became a “running joke” among those in government frustrated by the slow pace of change. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brighton’s historic Palace Pier up for sale as tourist numbers fall 02. January 2026 (10:50) BPG hopes to find buyer for Grade II-listed structure by summer after slump in profits and rising costsBrighton’s historic Palace Pier has been put up for sale after a decline in tourist numbers, a drop in profits and increase in costs in recent years.The leisure group that owns the 126-year-old structure, which has appeared in famous films including Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia, said it hoped to find a new owner by the summer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK house prices unexpectedly fell at end of year, Nationwide says 02. January 2026 (10:42) Average property price drops by 0.4% in December to £271,068 after forecasts of 0.1% month-on-month riseBusiness live – latest updatesUK house prices fell unexpectedly in December, according to a top mortgage lender, with the market finishing the year with the weakest annual growth in more than 18 months.The average property price slumped by 0.4% to £271,068 compared with November, according to Nationwide, confounding City forecasts of a 0.1% rise. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FTSE 100 breaks 10,000 mark for first time, capping stellar year for UK market 02. January 2026 (10:16) Blue-chip share index, created in 1984, has risen by more than 20% over past 12 monthsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s blue-chip share index has broken through the 10,000-point level for the first time, as global shares are lifted by a late “Santa rally”.The FTSE 100 jumped on Friday morning to a high of 10,046, a new peak for the index, before easing slightly back. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman charged with murder over fatal Melbourne house fire 02. January 2026 (10:12) The 29-year-old was also charged with attempted murder after fire in Clyde North Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA woman has been charged with murder after a fatal house fire in Melbourne’s south-east last month.Emergency services were called to reports of a fire and people injured at Sunburnt Circuit in Clyde North, 46km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, about 1.45am on 18 December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victoria Jones, daughter of Tommy Lee, found dead in San Francisco 02. January 2026 (10:12) Reports say actor, 34, found unresponsive in corridor of Fairmont hotel in early hours of New Year’s DayVictoria Jones, the daughter of the actor Tommy Lee Jones, has been found dead in a San Francisco hotel.Jones, 34, was discovered in the early hours of New Year’s Day, according to TMZ, which cited law enforcement sources. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
