Swiss Authorities Say Sparklers Probably Caused New Year’s Fire
An official said the sparklers were attached to bottles of champagne held too close to the ceiling. Forty people died and more than 100 were injured. Many of the victims were teenagers.
President Trump’s remarks that he was ready to come to the protesters’ “rescue” were a sharp escalation as demonstrations over economic hardship turned deadly.
With Obamacare’s Higher Premiums Come Difficult Decisions
As enhanced subsidies expire, many Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act are having trouble paying for insurance.
SCIENCE MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Sleeping or Sprouting’ – Genetic variation in a barley kinase gene determines dormancy duration and preharvest sprouting….
As populations age, the number of younger people entering the workforce is shrinking – and that’s a big problem for “pay as you go” state pension schemes where employees fund the pensions of an expanding cohort of retired people.
Confusingly, a new poll of six European nations reveals how most voters can see this problem and realise their state pensions will soon become unaffordable. But at the same time, they also believe state pensions are too low, and are unwilling to support reforms to them.
Where do governments under increasing pressure from populists go from here? For our first big story of 2026, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, Jon Henley, reports on a ticking timebomb for the continent’s social contract.
Spotlight | The prospects for peace in Ukraine in 2026 As Russia inches forward on the battlefield and – despite Donald Trump’s optimism – peace talks remain deadlocked, Kyiv’s best hopes of progress may be on the economic and political fronts, writes Dan Sabbagh
Science | How great a threat is AI to the climate? The datacentres behind artificial intelligence are polluting the natural world – and some experts fear the exponential rise in demand could derail the shift to a clean economy. Ajit Niranjan reports
Feature | Returning to the West Bank after two decades The former Guardian correspondent Ewen MacAskill used to report frequently from the Palestinian Territory. Twenty years after his last visit, he went back – and was shocked by how much worse it is today
Opinion | Need cheering up after a terrible year? I have just the story for you A single act of kindness reminded columnist Martin Kettle that, despite so much evidence to the contrary, the better angels of our nature are not necessarily doomed
Culture | The Brit boom Whether it’s Charli xcx or chicken shops, UK culture is having a moment. Can it be future-proofed from the diluting forces of globalisation? Rachel Aroesti investigates
President Trump, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals, stretching across industries and the globe.
Happy New Year! Are you among the 76 percent who have tried to lose weight at some point in your life? Losing excess body weight is difficult…and keeping it off can be even harder. That’s why, unless you are underweight, it’s important to avoid gaining.
Dietary Patterns High in Fiber Associated with Lower Risk for Chronic Disease
Dietary patterns higher in fiber intake are associated with lower risk for multiple chronic diseases. Researchers analyzed a large collection of data to determine the strength of the relationship between eating fiber-rich foods and health.
What to Know About Heavy Metals in Food
Trace amounts of heavy metals can show up in everyday foods—but with a balanced, varied dietary pattern, there’s little reason for worry.
While the architect’s approach to restoring France’s medieval buildings remains controversial, his many and varied talents are still utterly awe-inspiring
Finishing the Sagrada Família
Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece is nearing completion a century after the architect’s death
When it comes to views of Venice, Canaletto is still master of all he surveys
Demand for the best paintings of the city shows no sign of sinking, but some artists have a more buoyant market than others
Should museums be making spectacles of themselves?
If galleries and institutions want to grow their visitor numbers, they need to add style to their substance
Boomers Daily 