The Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, has urged Donald Trump to abandon his “illegal warmongering” and begin “serious talks” with his administration as mystery continued to surround a purported pre-Christmas CIA airstrike on the South American country. Maduro rejected US claims justifying Trump’s campaign that he was the head of a “narco-terrorist” crime organisation flooding the US with drugs. “I believe that we need to set all this aside and start serious talks. Asked what impact Trump’s pressure campaign was having on his physical and emotional state, however, Maduro struck a nonchalant tone. Maduro said he had not spoken to Trump since a 10-minute conversation on 21 November, which he called cordial and respectful.

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Assuming the prediction is correct - and it may not be, of course - the implication is that what we are facing is a new digital divide between those who have potent IT and those who have none at all. Simultaneously, we face an inflation risk because chips are built into so many products, and the price spillover will affect vast numbers of consumer goods. One word of warning, though: please ensure you have the correct MP. CommentsWhen commenting, please take note of this blog's comment policy, which is available here. Contravening this policy will result in comments being deleted before or after initial publication at the editor's sole discretion and without explanation being required or offered.

British school trips at risk as EU clamps coach drivers to 90 days abroadSCHOOL trips and battlefield tours are at risk unless strict EU border rules for coach drivers are ripped up. The industry is looking for an exemption for drivers who are limited to just 90 days in the bloc out of every 180. Minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds is being urged to scrap the requirement for Brit drivers to aid struggling travel operators. Richard Smith, boss of the Road Haulage Association, said: “UK Hauliers, Coach and Van operators who operate internationally remain concerned that they’re limited to 90 days in the EU in any 180-day period. “It’s likely that a number of British businesses will go to the wall without easements for drivers on international work.

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Fraser Forster seals Celtic reunion as keeper finally lands new club after agonising seven month searchThe veteran shotstopper has been unattached since leaving Europa League-winning Tottenham in MayFormer Celtic hero Fraser Forster has finally landed a new club - seven months after leaving Tottenham. ‌The veteran keeper has been a free agent since his release from the Europa League winners in the summer. ‌It's expected that Forster will be on the bench for Saturday's visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Argentine genius raved: "The performance of Fraser Forster against us was talked about for a long time. There was one game in Scotland when he was not human, it was the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.

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Reflecting on the case, Mr Ovenden told Radio 4's Today programme: "We'd be having long meetings on the priorities of the government and they would be railroaded by any other business into discussions about this gentleman. Asked why politicians could not ignore these subjects, Mr Ovenden said they had "effectively handed away power". "What they're really trying to do is hand away risk but they've handed away power to arm's length bodies, to quangos, to activists, to lawyers, to regulatory framework, to well-networked organisations... who are able to basically stop the machinery of government doing things." He said examples of subjects he considered to be distractions included paying colonial reparations or banning vaping in pub gardens. He argued that the government should start by scaling back some of the government's legal obligations such as environmental obligations for building and the right to launch legal challenges against government policies through judicial reviews.

LUKE AT THATLUKE AT THAT World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen in £1m final tonight, match start time – updatesLUKE LITTLER meets Gian van Veen in TONIGHT’s World Championship final. The Nuke is out to win back-to-back world titles and thrashed Ryan Searle 6-1 last night to book his spot in a third straight final at Ally Pally. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. And it is Van Veen who will be out to stop Littler after the Dutchman dispatched former two-time champion Gary Anderson in their thrilling semi-final. Start time : 20:15 GMT: 20:15 GMT TV channel/live stream: Sky Sports Main Event/NOWPDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING TIPS: ODDS, PREDICTIONS AND TOURNAMENT GUIDEFollow ALL the latest from Ally Pally with our live blog below…

This weekend has darts action, plus the return of the Ashes and the Old Firm derby (right). 3pmWolves v West HamPremier LeagueIt’s January and Wolverhampton Wanderers are still without a win in the league. 8.15pmPDC World Championship finalDartsThe 20th and last day of the world championship is finally upon us, with £1m in prize money to the victor. 11.30pmThe Ashes, fifth Test, day oneCricketThere is no such thing as a dead rubber in the Ashes. 11.30pmThe Ashes, fifth Test, day twoCricketHere’s hoping that the final Test of the Ashes series lasts longer than two days, but you never know.

Mamdani Is the Mayor: On New Year's Day, Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City, the first Muslim and South Asian person to do so and the youngest in a century. Katie Wilson Is the Mayor: It's the new year and we are all getting new mayors! Katie Wilson will officially be sworn in as Seattle's mayor in the City Hall lobby at 10 a.m today. Swiss Fire Kills 40: A fire ripped through a bar at the Crans-Montana, a Switzerland ski resort, less than two hours after midnight. Pour One Out for the Space Library: NASA's biggest library and central research hub since 1959 is closing today.

Finally, our Voucher competition gives subscribers the chance to win a £150 National Trust eGift Voucher. However you choose to start 2026, our January subscriber competitions are here to add a little extra excitement to the beginning of the year. Good luck to all our subscribers as we start the new year together. The competitions are open exclusively to subscribers. To be in with a chance, visit the competitions page and submit your entry.

Dubai Invitational 2026 LIVE: Dates, UK times, field, leaderboard, prize money and how to follow as McIlroy and Fleetwood face offThe 2026 Dubai Invitational will kick off another big year of golf on the DP World Tour. 3 Fleetwood won the Dubai Invitational in 2024 Credit: GettyIt was not held last season but now the Dubai Creek Resort tournament has returned to the schedule. Fleetwood and McIlroy will be in action again alongside a host of other top names with the DP World Tour having a successful history of starting the calendar year in the UAE. Dubai Invitational 2026: Date and how to followThis event is taking place from Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18. “I’m delighted to be defending my Dubai Invitational title in front of family and friends here in Dubai,” he added.