Jeffrey Epstein sent money to Mandelson’s husband after prison release, emails reveal 30. January 2026 (19:43) Convicted child sex offender asked accountant to ‘send 13k dollars’ to partner of then UK business secretaryJeffrey Epstein sent thousands of pounds in bank transfers after his release from prison in 2009 to Peter Mandelson’s husband, according to emails published by the US Department of Justice on Friday.The latest documents raise fresh questions about Epstein’s relationship with Mandelson, who was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to Washington when details of his support for the disgraced financier emerged in September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Catherine O’Hara, actor known for Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, dies aged 71 30. January 2026 (19:29) Actor, also known for Beetlejuice and her work with Christopher Guest, died after a brief illnessCatherine O’Hara, actor known for Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone and Best in Show, has died at the age of 71.Her manager confirmed the news to Variety. She died after a brief illness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mexico’s president says Trump’s tariffs on Cuba’s oil suppliers could trigger humanitarian crisis 30. January 2026 (19:08) Island country only has oil enough to last 15-20 days, and 12-hour blackouts have become commonplaceMexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has warned that Donald Trump’s move to slap new tariffs on countries sending oil to Cuba could trigger a humanitarian crisis on the island, which is already suffering from chronic fuel shortages and regular blackouts.The US president signed an executive order on Thursday declaring a national emergency and laying the groundwork for such tariffs, ratcheting up the pressure to topple the communist government in Havana. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel accepts health authorities’ Gaza death toll is broadly accurate, saying 70,000 have died 30. January 2026 (19:06) Israeli military’s U-turn in accepting official figures comes after years of attacking data as ‘Hamas propaganda’Israel’s military has accepted the death toll compiled by health authorities in Gaza is broadly accurate, marking a U-turn after years of official attacks on the data.A senior security official briefed Israeli journalists, saying about 70,000 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli attacks on the territory since October 2023, excluding those missing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Incarcerated activists from Oscar-nominated documentary The Alabama Solution sent to solitary 30. January 2026 (18:45) Transfer of subjects of acclaimed film about inhumane prison conditions described as ‘straight-up retaliation’The Alabama prison system has moved three well-known incarcerated activists who supported a 2022 prison strike and were featured in an Oscar-nominated documentary about the troubled system to isolated cells with little contact with others, family members and attorneys said.Family members of the three men said they fear for their loved ones’ safety and are concerned the moves to solitary confinement are a form of retaliation for outspokenness about problems within the prison system. Robert Earl Council, Melvin Ray and Raoul Poole were transferred two weeks ago from their existing prisons to solitary confinement at the Kilby correctional facility outside Montgomery, their lawyers said. The transfers come as some groups have encouraged a new prison labor strike this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour accuses Reform candidate of ‘toxic politics’ after Tommy Robinson endorsement 30. January 2026 (18:19) Far-right activist tells X followers to vote for Reform’s Gorton and Denton candidate, Matthew GoodwinLabour have accused the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection, Matthew Goodwin, of representing “toxic politics” after he was endorsed by the far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.The move will be uncomfortable for Nigel Farage, who has consistently kept the parties he leads separate from Robinson, an anti-Islam campaigner and one of the UK’s leading far-right figures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FSA confirms presence of toxin in some Nestlé SMA baby formula products 30. January 2026 (18:00) Nestlé has already recalled several batches due to concerns they may trigger nausea and vomitingThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed the presence of a toxin that can cause food poisoning in some Nestlé baby formula products.At the start of this month, the Swiss food and drink company recalled several batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula due to concerns they contained cereulide, which can trigger nausea and vomiting when consumed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anti-ICE protests to be held across US as organizers urge national strike 30. January 2026 (17:53) Activists call for Friday ‘blackout’ in protest against administration’s violent immigration crackdownActivists have called for a nationwide shutdown on Friday, advocating “no work, no school, no shopping” in a protest against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdowns.Organizers say Friday’s “blackout” – or general strike, as some are calling it – is part of a growing non-violent movement to combat ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics, which have come under renewed scrutiny following a series of fatal shootings involving federal agents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Florida braces yet again for another weekend blast of freezing weather 30. January 2026 (17:48) Arctic air moving into south-east will also freeze Tennessee, as 230,000 households still remain without power in regionFreezing weather that will reach deep into Florida was moving across the south-eastern US on Friday as millions braced for another weekend blast of winter storms following last week’s deadly assault that killed at least 85 people.Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in southern states were without power for a sixth day on Friday as the next onslaught of blizzards, ice and biting cold winds approached. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rail services disrupted across England after fire near Euston 30. January 2026 (17:27) Blaze hits Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, London Overground and Southern servicesA major UK railway line remains partially closed because of a large fire, disrupting thousands of journeys.National Rail said some lines of the west coast mainline were blocked between London Euston and Watford Junction because of the blaze in Camden, north London. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
