Wales house prices rise faster than UK average – see how your area compares

Japanese stocks have hit a record high after the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) named Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the pro-business politician to be Japan’s next prime minister. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 4.75% higher on Monday, ending the day above 47,000 for the first time. Takaichi, who has held…

Precious metal prices have risen after the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro increased investors’ concerns about geopolitical risks. In Monday morning trade in Asia, gold was about 1.8% higher at around $4,408 (£3,282) an ounce, while silver was up close to 3.5%, as money was moved into so-called “safe-haven” assets. Meanwhile, crude oil…

The number of jobs created in the US grew only modestly in December, as a weak year for the employment market in the world’s largest economy drew to a close. Employers added 50,000 jobs in the final month of 2025, according to Labor Department data, which was fewer than expected. But the unemployment rate dipped…

“Being on the screen, it keeps us looking at the external world. When we go into our internal world and we sort of stare into space, into the middle distance, it allows us to think about the past, it allows us to visualise the future, it predicts creativity.