The Scottish government will publish its draft 2026–27 Budget, with Finance Secretary Shona Robison saying difficult choices were needed to balance tax and spending; the bill faces three parliamentary stages and a final vote expected in late February.
Republican lawmakers expressed concern after the Trump administration threatened to indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell; two senators said they would block the president's central bank nominees and a third called for the probe to end quickly.
Keir Starmer told Labour MPs that being present at international trade and defence talks supports the UK economy and could help address the cost-of-living situation; he has made more than 40 overseas trips since taking office and faces internal pressure to spend more time on domestic issues.
The Home Office reports 12,322 arrests for illegal working between July 2024 and December 2025, an 83% increase on the previous 18 months; 1,725 of those arrested have been deported so far.
Marcus Rashford is on a season-long loan at Barcelona and has recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 27 appearances.
A federal judge cleared Ørsted to resume work on the nearly finished Revolution Wind project in Rhode Island after rejecting the Interior Department's December pause on five offshore wind leases.
RingConn's Gen 2 smart ring reports sleep apnea indicators and other health metrics, and it is currently listed at about $239.20 (20% off a $299 price).
Three Adelaide Festival board members have resigned after the board removed Randa Abdel‑Fattah from the 2026 Writers' Week program; Abdel‑Fattah's lawyers have written to the board asking for the specific statements relied on and have given it until 14 January to respond.
Four NHS hospital trusts in Surrey and Kent have declared critical incidents because services are under sustained pressure from high emergency demand and seasonal illnesses.
Nigel Farage spoke at a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy, praising protesters as 'freedom fighters'. The appearance has added to debate in the UK over whether to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
