HSBC becomes first big UK lender to cut its mortgage rates in 2026

HSBC has become the first major lender to cut mortgage rates this year, a move that could spark a price war over the coming months.The banking group, which is one of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders, has cut rates across a range of residential and landlord buy-to-let mortgage products. The new rates come into effect on Monday.The move follows a reduction in the Bank of England base rate in December to 3.75%

The government probably took too much of your paycheck this year – here’s how to get it back

US taxpayers will have a “gigantic refund year in the first quarter” of 2026, the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, recently said in an interview.Given all the untruths that come out of the current administration, you wouldn’t be blamed if you don’t believe him. But you should. This year, there will be a significant amount of tax refunds. Why? Well, it’s not tariff cash

World ‘may not have time’ to prepare for AI safety risks, says leading researcher

The world “may not have time” to prepare for the safety risks posed by cutting-edge AI systems, according to a leading figure at the UK government’s scientific research agency.David Dalrymple, a programme director and AI safety expert at the Aria agency, told the Guardian people should be concerned about the growing capability of the technology.“I think we should be concerned about systems that can perform all of the functions that humans perform to get things done in the world, but better,” he said. “We will be outcompeted in all of the domains that we need to be dominant in, in order to maintain control of our civilisation, society and planet.”Dalrymple said there was a gap in understanding between the public sector and AI companies about the power of looming breakthroughs in the technology

What happened after Tesla opened a diner in Los Angeles?

Less than six months since it opened, Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner has the feel of a ghost town. Gone is the Optimus robot serving popcorn, gone are the carnivore-diet-inspired “Epic Bacon” strips, gone are the hours-long, hundred-person lines wrapped around the block. Even the restaurant’s all-star chef, Eric Greenspan, is gone. The Hollywood burger-and-fries shop seems like a shell of the bustling eatery it was when it opened in late July.On a balmy Friday afternoon in December, the parking lot for Tesla car charging was, at best, half full

Australia v England: fifth Ashes Test, day two – live

Travis Head was quick to ask the question as soon as Neser wrapped up the England innings and the players will take an early tea that would normally be another 20 minutes away. The Australia openers won’t mind avoiding the 2-3 overs they would otherwise have had to face, but they are set to have their work cut out when play does resume with the pitch offering more movement as the day has gone on.Michael Neser knocks over Josh Tongue with the ball talking off the pitch. Australia have kept England to under 400 as the flow of runs dried up after the drinks break and as batting has become trickier throughout the day. Joe Root put on a clinic to reach 160 – his second ton and highest score in Australia

Broncos win AFC No 1 seed, Jaguars clinch AFC South and Panthers claim NFC South: NFL week 18 – as it happened

AFC Denver on bye; Buffalo v Jacksonville; Houston v Pittsburgh/Baltimore; LA Chargers v New EnglandNFC 1) Seattle on bye; San Francisco v Philadelphia; LA Rams v Cardinals; Green Bay v ChicagoAnd that is it, except one final knockout game between the Steelers and Ravens. Are you staying up? Enjoy the drama if you are but it is past my bed time as usual. Thanks everyone for joining me over the past few months. It has been wild, wonderful and completely knackering. So goodnight, but who knows we might run it back next week for the playoffs! Goodnight!(12-5) Buffalo Bills 35-8 New York Jets (3-14)(11-6) Chicago Bears 16-19 Detroit Lions (9-8)(14-3) Denver Broncos 19-3 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)(3-14) Las Vegas Raiders 14-12 Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)(12-5) Los Angeles Rams 37-20 Arizona Cardinals (3-14)(14-3) New England Patriots 38-10 Miami Dolphins (7-10)(11-6) Philadelphia Eagles 17-24 Washington Commanders (5-12)Denver seal top spot and a bye week in the playoffs with the easiest of wins over the Chargers