Business

Ray Dalio told the World Economic Forum in Davos that America’s rising national debt, now above $38 trillion, is a growing concern and that gold can act as insurance for savings; he suggested holding about 10–15% of a portfolio in gold.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem approved an extension of FEMA temporary housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors through February 2027, Gov. Josh Green said. Nearly 1,000 households displaced by the 2023 fires had been awaiting the decision.

A Dorset landlord, Andy Lennox, spoke to The Telegraph's Save Our Pubs campaign about the costs of running a pub, and the article reports that about one pub a day closes across the country.

A New York charity and local authorities are removing more than 200 dogs from a rural Mississippi property ahead of an approaching winter storm; about 60 dogs have been taken in by nine shelters and 45 were transported to New York.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the old rules-based international order is no longer returning and received a standing ovation; he also said Canada opposes U.S. tariffs linked to Greenland.

The 4 Day Week Foundation reports that more than 250 UK firms now offer a four-day working week with full pay, with 53 organisations newly accredited last year and over 6,000 employees affected.

Tesco will launch a 10-week pilot from January 26 across 40 stores using the Auror crime reporting system, and says CCTV will be reviewed by its Security Hub while live facial recognition will not be used.

The transport secretary has signed an agreement to progress reopening the Leamside Line, subject to a business case that demonstrates value for money. Further work will be taken forward under Northern Powerhouse Rail and earlier funding was agreed in 2025 for the northern section as part of a Washington loop.

Aldi has relaunched its Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, offering one family a £100 Aldi voucher each week; new parents enter by emailing a receipt showing a recent Mamia purchase.

Aldi will award one £100 voucher each week in 2026 through its Mamia New Parent Fund, for a total of 52 vouchers worth £5,200; applicants must email a Mamia receipt and personal details to mamiaparentfund@aldi.co.uk to enter.

ONS data show retail sales rose 0.4% in December, helped by stronger internet shopping and higher demand for gold and silver from online jewellers.

Aid groups and shelters are removing over 200 dogs from a rural Tupelo property ahead of a forecasted winter storm; dozens have been moved to shelters and foster networks.

A columnist who set a goal of reaching £1m by age 60 found a strong 2025 gain reduced the nominal return needed, but realised they had not adjusted for inflation and that the real value target is higher.

Executives from five major US insurers testified before a House committee about rising healthcare costs, and the article mentions UnitedHealth Group will rebate profits from its ACA plans to customers in 2026.

The US unveiled a 'New Gaza' proposal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with slides showing coastal skyscrapers, housing estates in Rafah and phased development maps; the presentation accompanied a signing for President Trump's new Board of Peace.

The US presented a 'New Gaza' master plan at Davos outlining phased reconstruction, including coastal high-rises and new housing in Rafah, and officials said the plan is linked to a ceasefire and demilitarisation.

Landslides struck a house in Welcome Bay and a campground at Mount Maunganui, and two people were confirmed dead after the first slide; rescue teams were searching for several people unaccounted for and no further bodies had been recovered by late Thursday. Undetermined at this time.

A timing fault in variable speed cameras caused some drivers to be wrongly issued speeding fines, and the Department for Transport has ordered an independent review and said affected drivers will be contacted for reimbursement and the removal of points where relevant.

Officials say 67 people have died in a fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza, and rescue teams are still searching the damaged building.

A late-2025 survey of state education board members found few states mandate district AI policies, leaving most decisions to local school districts while officials raise concerns about student safety, data privacy and equity.

After one year of sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" under President Trump, US customs revenue rose by about US$287 billion while the overall US trade balance (goods and services) worsened by about US$69 billion.

PensionBee warns that many higher earners and the self-employed risk missing pension tax relief if they do not file a Self-Assessment tax return by the 31 January deadline; the group says £1.3 billion went unclaimed by higher and additional-rate taxpayers between 2016 and 2021.

Ofgem has ordered OVO Energy to pay £2.77m after Warm Home Discount rebates were delivered many months late to nearly 12,000 customers; affected households will receive payments that could total up to £400 in some cases.

Official figures show public sector net borrowing was £11.6bn in December, down from £18.7bn a year earlier, with year-to-date borrowing at £140.4bn.

Mark Carney told the World Economic Forum that the rules-based international order is undergoing a "rupture" and urged middle powers, including Australia, to band together.

A US aviation safety campaign group told a Senate subcommittee that the Air India Boeing 787-8 involved in the June Ahmedabad crash had a long record of technical and electrical problems dating from early 2014; India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading an ongoing inquiry with assistance from US and UK agencies and Boeing.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump outlined measures to lower mortgage and credit card interest rates and to bar large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. He signed an executive order to review rules on investor purchases and said the government would buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds.

Many Venezuelan migrants in Latin America are considering returning amid recent political change, while worries about continued repression and economic instability remain.

Bystanders entered the ocean to rescue a woman from a sinking SUV in Virginia, and she was removed from the vehicle; Virginia Beach Police said the driver and two rescuers were treated for non-serious injuries.

Officials said a retaining wall collapse caused a commuter train to derail near Barcelona; the train driver was killed and at least 20 people were injured, four critically.