Learner drivers in England and Wales could soon face a mandatory waiting period of up to six months between passing their theory test and taking the practical driving test under new proposals from the UK government. The measure is part of the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, the first comprehensive national road safety plan in more than a decade.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States, a move he claims places Washington in effective control of the country’s energy resources. The oil transfer, valued at more than $2 billion (£1.48 billion), would represent one of the largest seizures of Venezuelan crude under US sanctions.

Singer Jesy Nelson, member of the iconic girl group “Little Mix”, has spoken publicly about the health challenges facing her newborn twin daughters, revealing that both babies have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic condition that affects muscle strength and movement.

Idris Elba has been named in the New Year Honours list in recognition of his work supporting young people and campaigning against knife crime, alongside his iconic contributions to film and television.

European judges have raised questions over the UK government’s decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship, reopening a long-running and highly controversial legal case.

A Ghanaian self-styled prophet known as Edo Noah made headlines earlier this year after predicting that the world would end on December 25, 2025, a date he claims was revealed to him through divine instruction. The prophecy drew renewed attention after Noah was seen attending rapper, Sarkodie’s Christmas Day concert in Ghana, a sighting that quickly circulated online and added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing public debate surrounding his claims.