Stable genius? How a defective ‘crying horse’ toy went viral in China 28. January 2026 (05:22) Toy becomes a popular symbol of workplace fatigue after manufacturing error gave it a frown instead of a smileOn 17 February China will celebrate the start of the year of the horse, the zodiac sign symbolising high energy and hard work. But the runaway success of a defective stuffed toy suggests that many Chinese are not feeling the vibe.A red horse toy produced by Happy Sister in the city of Yiwu in the west of China was meant to wear a broad grin, but a factory error meant it hit the shops sporting a despairing grimace. Because the smile was placed upside down, the horse’s nostrils could be interpreted as tears. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez become a Latin American Deng Xiaoping? 28. January 2026 (05:00) Maduro’s Sorbonne-educated successor is talking up an era of ‘reform and opening up’ modelled on China’s post-Mao boomAfter years of political and social upheaval, hunger and despair, the Great Helmsman departs and is replaced by a francophile economic reformer who catapults a traumatised country into a new era of prosperity and growth.That is what happened in China half a century ago when the croissant-loving communist Deng Xiaoping became paramount leader after Chairman Mao Zedong’s 1976 death and set in motion one of history’s biggest economic booms. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scott Morrison accused of ‘deeply ill-informed’ attack on religious freedom after Islam speech 28. January 2026 (04:55) Former PM called for national register and accreditation for imams, sparking backlash from Muslim leadersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLeading Islamic groups have condemned Scott Morrison as “deeply ill-informed” and “dangerous” after the former prime minister demanded a national register and accreditation for imams, and expanding foreign interference frameworks to capture foreign links in religious institutions.The former Liberal leader, speaking at an antisemitism conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday, claimed the measures were needed after the Islamic State-inspired Bondi terror shooting at a Hanukah event, which left 15 people dead. Morrison demanded a focus on “radicalised extremist Islam”, noting the two alleged Bondi shooters “were Australian-made” and demanding local Muslim bodies do more to stamp out hate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand could see more deadly landslides as climate crisis triggers intense storms, experts warn 28. January 2026 (04:26) As it grapples with two fatal tragedies, questions emerge over how to protect the country from more landslides – its deadliest natural hazardNew Zealand could experience an increase in landslides – its most deadly natural hazard – as global warming triggers more intense and frequent storms, experts have warned in the wake of two landslide tragedies in the North Island.New Zealand’s landscapes are scarred with the evidence of landslides – they are responsible for more than 1,800 deaths since written records began – more than earthquakes and volcanoes combined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man in hospital after shooting by border agent in Arizona 28. January 2026 (03:55) Authorities say suspect, who escaped from facility in 2024, ran from traffic stop and fired shots at helicopterA shooting involving a border patrol agent near the US-Mexico border in Arizona has left an accused smuggler in critical condition, local authorities said Tuesday.Border patrol agents attempted to stop a car at about 7am, Pima county sheriff Chris Nanos said at a press conference. Several people exited the car and ran off, and the vehicle drove away, Nanos said. About half an hour later, agents relocated the car and attempted to stop it again. The driver fled on foot, and a border agent chased after him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Historic heatwave expected to break records in NSW and Queensland with temperatures over 45C in regional towns 28. January 2026 (03:14) Bushfires still burning out of control in Victoria after state’s maximum daily temperature of 48.9C broke records on TuesdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastParts of New South Wales and south-western Queensland could be on track for more record setting temperatures on Wednesday as a heatwave that has gripped south-eastern Australia persists.By midday the temperature in Wilcannia, in NSW’s west, was 45.4C, with a forecast maximum of 48C, while in Bourke, the mercury had climbed to 41.3C with a forecast top of 47C. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sniffer dogs and bag searches can make drug danger at festivals more likely, Victorian coroner finds 28. January 2026 (03:02) Findings follow death of woman at Marlo Altitude music festival in 2023, with coroner recommending state urgently update 2013 code of practiceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice, security guards, bag searches, and sniffer dogs at music festivals can lead to riskier drug use and greater harms, a Victorian coroner who examined the death of a 28-year-old woman has found.Trang Thi Thu Le collapsed, suffered seizures and went into cardiac arrest after consuming MDMA and ketamine at an electronic dance music event, Marlo Altitude, at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena in 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marilyn Manson: US judge reopens sexual assault case against musician 28. January 2026 (02:59) Singer’s former assistant alleges he sexually assaulted her when she worked for Manson Records between 2010–2011A judge in Los Angeles has reinstated a lawsuit against heavy metal star Marilyn Manson under a new law enabling old sexual assault cases to be heard in court.The lawsuit, filed in May 2021 by a former assistant to the musician, had been dismissed in December because it exceeded the statute of limitations, a maximum time period for initiating legal proceedings after the related events took place. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Investigators say deadly midair collision near Washington DC followed years of ignored traffic warnings 28. January 2026 (02:52) Crash that killed 67 was ‘100% preventable’, says NTSB chair at hearing that addressed history of missed opportunitiesNational Transportation Safety Board members were deeply troubled on Tuesday over years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems, long before an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk collided a year ago, killing 67 people near Washington DC.The placement of a helicopter route in the approach path of Reagan national airport’s secondary runway created a dangerous airspace and a lack of regular safety risk reviews made it worse, the board said. That was a key factor in the crash along with air traffic controllers’ over reliance on asking helicopter pilots to avoid other aircraft. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nationals MP Colin Boyce to challenge David Littleproud for leadership, saying party is headed off ‘political cliff’ 28. January 2026 (02:45) Queensland MP to challenge for the leadership next week, in move colleagues say is unlikely to succeedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Nationals MP Colin Boyce will challenge David Littleproud for the leadership after declaring the party was “committing political suicide” by ending the Coalition.The Flynn MP said he would move a motion to spill the Nationals leadership at a party room meeting on Monday, and would stand as a contender. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
