Starmer vows to remain ‘clear-eyed’ over national security as he flies to China 27. January 2026 (23:30) PM promises ‘stability and clarity’ in approach on first visit to Beijing by UK leader in eight years‘Very low bar’: analysts say Starmer faces slim pickings in ChinaKeir Starmer has said the UK government will remain “clear-eyed and realistic” on the national security threat posed by China as he travelled to Beijing in an effort to improve relations with the economic powerhouse.The prime minister promised “stability and clarity” in his approach to Beijing after years of what he described as “inconsistency” under the Tories, as western powers turn to China in their search for economic stability amid concerns the US may no longer be a reliable partner. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK veterinary sector reforms planned to tackle high costs of pet care 27. January 2026 (23:30) Proposals would require clearer pricing and transparency as CMA finds fees have risen at nearly twice rate of inflationThe biggest shake-up of the UK veterinary sector for 60 years should push down costs for pet owners by requiring practices to make their pricing clearer, the government has said.Ministers have announced a package of measures after an investigation into reported high prices found problems in the vet sector could be costing UK households at least £1bn over five years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian drone strike on Ukrainian passenger train kills five 27. January 2026 (23:16) Attack in Kharkiv region was denounced as terrorism by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said it undermined ‘efforts to end the war’A Russian drone strike on a passenger train in north-eastern Ukraine has killed five people, prosecutors said, an attack denounced as terrorism by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Prosecutors said fragments of five bodies had been found at the scene of the strike on the train, which occurred on Tuesday near a village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US federal judge blocks deportation of five-year-old boy and his father 27. January 2026 (23:05) A Texas-based judge issues order saying Liam Ramos and his father cannot be removedA federal judge ruled on Tuesday that a five-year-old Minnesota boy and his father cannot be immediately deported, one week after their arrest sparked international outrage.A Texas-based judge issued an order saying Liam Ramos, the preschooler, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, cannot be removed or transferred out of the judicial district where they are being held while the litigation challenging their detention proceeds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British army officer dies during live fire training in Northumberland 27. January 2026 (22:53) Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died after an incident at one of the UK’s largest army training ranges, the MoD confirmsA British army officer has died after an incident during live fire training in Northumberland, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on Sunday after the incident at Otterburn Training Area, one of the UK’s largest army training ranges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Keep slaying the dragon inside’: Simon Armitage pens poem for World Cancer Day 27. January 2026 (22:15) Poet laureate tackles ‘daunting’ commission from Yorkshire Cancer Research to mark charity’s centenary yearCancer is a subject the poet laureate Simon Armitage has always shied away from. “I find it very daunting,” he said. “I’ve lost friends and family to cancer.”But when he was commissioned to write a poem to mark World Cancer Day, he was forced to confront the realities of the disease. “I think I saw part of my task as being slightly demystifying and maybe de-mythologising or de-demonising cancer a little bit to myself,” Armitage said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mountain lion roaming San Francisco’s streets captured by wildlife officials 27. January 2026 (21:55) Before wild feline was caught, authorities had advised residents to slowly back away if they encountered itWildlife officials in San Francisco captured a young mountain lion that was spotted roaming the streets of the city.Authorities issued a warning to residents late on Monday, saying a mountain lion had been seen walking the streets in the Pacific Heights neighborhood and advised people to slowly back away from the animal if they encountered it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bari Weiss tries to win CBS staffers’ trust amid ‘noise’ over 60 Minutes segment 27. January 2026 (21:17) In her first town hall, Weiss expressed some regret over her decision to pull 60 Minutes segment at the last minuteDuring her first address to CBS News employees as editor in chief, Bari Weiss acknowledged that there had been “a lot of noise” about her tumultuous tenure and said that some staffers might decide they don’t support her or want to continue working at the company.“I just want to start by saying: I get it. And I get why, in the face of all this tumult and noise, you might feel uncertain or skeptical about me and about what I’m aiming to do here,” Weiss said on Tuesday morning, according to an audio recording of her comments obtained by the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US announces multi-day aerial military drills in the Middle East amid Iran tensions 27. January 2026 (21:09) Exercises described by President Trump as an ‘armada’ to be led by the USS Abraham Lincoln amid standoffThe US has announced plans to hold multi-day military exercises in the Middle East as it deploys what Donald Trump has called an “armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region as part of a tense standoff with Iran.The display of US air power was announced as the White House has suggested it could launch new strikes on Iran after the government’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that has left thousands dead and many more in detention with their fates uncertain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Commissioner says he had ‘no legal power’ to sack police chief over Maccabi Tel Aviv ban 27. January 2026 (21:00) ‘It’s not an episode of The Apprentice, there has to be a lawful process’, says West Midlands police chief commissionerThe West Midlands police and crime commissioner has said politicians provided a “degree of fiction” regarding his power to sack a police chief over the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, adding it was not an “episode of The Apprentice”.The home secretary withdrew her confidence in chief constable Craig Guildford after an official inquiry found West Midlands police had “exaggerated” intelligence to justify a ban on fans attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa last year, leading to calls for the police and crime commissioner to sack him. Despite this, Guildford remained in post for a further two days until he announced his retirement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
