UK housebuilding in deepest slump since 2020 lockdowns; Warner Bros rejects ‘inferior’ $108bn Paramount hostile bid – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as UK construction sector shrinks for 12th month running

The Guardian view on Trump’s raid in Caracas: oil matters, but it’s not the whole story

Editorial: The seizure of Venezuelan leader was induced by the prize of petroleum, but driven by spectacle, geopolitics and domestic politics

‘A warning not an insult’: US doubles down on criticism of Europe

Forecast of Europe’s ‘civilisational erasure’ was part of call for pro-growth reform, says Trump official

US oil company shares and Venezuelan bonds rally after Maduro seized, sending Dow to record high – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, with gold and defence company shares also higher today

The cost of AI slop could cause a rethink that shakes the global economy in 2026

Revenues may be rising rapidly, but not by nearly enough to cover the wild levels of investment under way

From the AI bubble to Fed fears: the global economic outlook for 2026

Analysts and investors voice caution about tech valuations and Trump’s influence on the US central bank

From rent to utility bills: the politicians and advocates making climate policy part of the affordability agenda

As the Trump administration derides climate policy as a ‘scam’, emissions-cutting measures are gaining popularity

It’s payback time: inside the 2 January Guardian Weekly

Europe’s big, expensive state pensions crisis. Plus: The British culture boom

UK’s FTSE 100 share index records best year since 2009 – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as London’s blue-chip share index rises by 21.5% for the year

China forecast to have sold one in every 10 new cars in UK in 2025

Carmakers such as MG, BYD and Chery are set to pass 200,000 mark in sales, analysis suggests, double 2024’s total

Zack Polanski offering voters fantasy solutions, says head of Fabian Society

Joe Dromey, head of the Labour thinktank, urges his party to take on the ‘twin populisms’ of Reform UK and the Greens

Eurostar disruption: Channel tunnel partially reopens but ‘significant’ delays ongoing – as it happened

Eurostar ‘strongly advises’ passengers to postpone journeys after problem with overhead power supply in Channel tunnel and a failed Le Shuttle train Full story: Channel tunnel train services suspended after power outage Tell us: have you been affected by the Channel tunnel rail disruption?

Five charts that explain the global economic outlook for 2026

Inflation is predicted to cool but uncertainty over AI-driven growth and trade policy poses risks in the year ahead

‘Be fearful when others are greedy’: Warren Buffett’s sharpest lessons in investing

As the billionaire retires, he leaves memorable advice from his annual letters that include pithy takes on bubbles, discipline and long-term goals

UK consumers still reluctant to spend going into 2026, KPMG survey finds

Combination of concern about economy and household cost pressures will continue to limit spending, report suggests