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)
Travel disruption expected as snow and ice forecast across UK 02. January 2026 (09:04) Wintry weather likely to continue into the weekend across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandTravel disruption is expected on Friday, with snow and ice forecast across the UK.Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for parts of the UK, and amber snow warnings for northern Scotland will begin at midday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 60 Henri Matisse artworks donated to Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris 02. January 2026 (07:00) Artist’s daughter Marguerite features in most of the pieces, kept in the family until ‘complete surprise’ donationThe Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris has received an “extraordinarily generous” donation of 61 works by Henri Matisse that have been kept in the artist’s family.Most of the donated art – which includes paintings, drawings, etchings, lithographs and a sculpture – features the painter’s daughter Marguerite. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows 02. January 2026 (07:00) Anti-racism groups warn some people are avoiding public transport or limiting their use of it for fear of abuseRacial and religious hate crime on public transport is on the rise according to new data obtained by the Guardian, as community groups report how people are restricting their daily journeys because they fear abuse or assault.Police forces across the country have recorded an increase in hate crimes over the past year, with a significant rise in racially motivated offences in Scotland as well as religious hate crimes targeting Muslims in England and Wales. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers may cut green tech mandate from new homes regulations in England 02. January 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Critics say removing battery installation requirement will reduce amount homebuyers save on energy billsMinisters are poised to allow homes in England to be built without carbon-cutting technology in what experts have said is a climbdown after pressure from housebuilders.The future homes standard (FHS), due to be published in January, will regulate how all homes are built and is expected to enforce tough new regulations such as mandating solar panels on nearly all houses and high standards of insulation and heat pumps in most cases. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK government should end rail outsourcing ‘racket’, says union 02. January 2026 (07:00) RMT estimates six cleaning, security and catering suppliers made £150m profits last year Railway leaders should “think afresh” about outsourcing contracts and try to run services better, the rail minister has said, as union research indicated six major private suppliers made £150m in profits last year.Rail unions are campaigning to end the widespread outsourcing of jobs such as cleaning, security and catering, arguing that staff employed by third-party companies have worse conditions and that profits could be reinvested in the railway. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Truly humbling’: inside the centre where UK medics are helping Ukrainian amputees 02. January 2026 (06:00) British military doctors and therapists provide support at base where innovative treatments aid recovery of those who have lost limbsAt a specialist treatment centre in Ukraine, as other amputees play volleyball nearby, Vladislav shows a video on his phone of how he lost his left leg. He found the footage – of a drone closing in rapidly on a buggy, Vladislav standing exposed at its rear – on a Russian military social media channel.The 31-year-old, an arbitration lawyer before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, makes a double whistling noise to describe the drone’s ominous progress. “That’s me,” he says, pointing at the video, filmed from a fibre optic drone, chasing him down with terrifying ease as the vehicle slows for a corner. Then the screen goes blank. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown 02. January 2026 (06:00) New year plant hunt shows rising temperatures are shifting natural cycles of wildflowers such as daisies Daisies and dandelions are among hundreds of native plant species blooming in the UK, in what scientists have called a “visible signal” of climate breakdown disrupting the natural world.A Met Office analysis of data from the annual new year’s plant hunt over the past nine years found an extra 2.5 species in bloom during the new year period for every 1C rise in temperature at a given location during the previous November and December. This year’s hunt started on Thursday and runs until Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
