Bluey tops US streaming charts in 2025 for second year in a row, with 45bn minutes watched 29. January 2026 (01:01) Australian children’s cartoon series about a family of blue heelers has yet to announce a new seasonAustralian-made animated series Bluey was the most streamed show in the US for the second year in a row, topping Nielsen’s annual year-end streaming charts for 2025.US viewers watched 45.2bn minutes of the show on Disney+ according to Nielsen, down from 55.62bn in 2024, but still impressive given the show comprises 154 episodes – most of them less than 10 minutes’ long. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senate Democrats demand DHS funding bill include reforms to ‘rein in ICE’ 29. January 2026 (00:02) Move sets up clash with Republicans that could see government partially shut down in coming daysChuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, on Wednesday demanded that legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) include a ban on wearing masks and other reforms aimed at federal agents involved in immigration enforcement, setting up a clash with Republicans that could see the government partially shut down in the coming days.Congress is racing to head off a lapse in federal funding from beginning after Friday, and the Senate’s Republican leaders plan to hold a key procedural vote on Thursday on the DHS funding measure and five bills that authorize spending by several other government departments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer to hold talks with Xi to bolster economic ties with China 28. January 2026 (23:30) PM is first UK leader to visit China in eight years and hopes to strengthen bond with superpower amid uncertainty over US allianceKeir Starmer will meet the Chinese president Xi Jinping on Thursday for historic talks he hopes will deepen economic ties at a time when some inside government fear the US is no longer a reliable partner.The prime minister – the first UK leader to visit China in eight years – will hold a 40-minute meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before a number of cultural and business receptions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk pivots Tesla to robotics and AI as car business flails 28. January 2026 (23:22) Musk’s optimism for Optimus robot demand help EV maker beat quarterly expectations despite first-ever yearly revenue declineTesla’s most recent quarterly earnings report showed slumping vehicle sales and declining revenue, as the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, pins the company’s futures on AI and robotics. The earnings report described Tesla’s chaotic year as a “transition from a hardware-centric business to a physical AI company”.The high hopes and grand possibilities Musk has outlined helped Tesla beat Wall Street expectations, even as the company reported its first-ever decline in total revenue – losing 3% year-over-year. Tesla reported fourth quarter earnings per share of $0.50 after the market close on Wednesday, exceeding the $0.45 that Wall Street expected. Its reported revenue was $24.9bn, beating analyst estimates of $24.79bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chinese investigators to visit Brisbane to help in search for man who allegedly burned baby with coffee 28. January 2026 (23:12) Stranger allegedly threw Thermos of coffee on nine-month-old boy in Brisbane park in 2024Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Chinese team will visit Australia to help search for a man who allegedly randomly attacked a baby with hot coffee before fleeing the country.China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian announced on Wednesday that investigators will travel to Queensland to work with police to investigate the 33-year-old accused attacker. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
What to know about the third No Kings protests happening in March 28. January 2026 (22:25) Demonstrations will be held across the US against ICE’s reign of terror with flagship event in Twin CitiesA third No Kings protest will be held on 28 March, organizers announced on Wednesday. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the groups coordinating No Kings, said that he expected it to be “the biggest protest in American history”.Protests will be held nationwide, with a flagship event in Minnesota’s Twin Cities – Minneapolis and Saint Paul – where this month federal immigration agents killed two residents, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, amid their escalated operations in the region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Assisted dying backers could use archaic procedure to bypass ‘undemocratic’ block by peers 28. January 2026 (21:59) Exclusive: MPs backing bill to use ‘nuclear option’ of 1911 Parliament Act if it continues to be blocked by LordsSupporters of assisted dying will seek to force through the bill using an archaic parliamentary procedure if it continues to be blocked by the Lords.The high stakes move – described by some backers as the “nuclear option” – would be the first time the 1911 Parliament Act has been invoked for a private member’s bill. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested after woman, 95, tied up during attempted robbery in Salford 28. January 2026 (21:48) Assailant, 80, said to have entered victim’s property in Little Hulton on Tuesday and asked for cash and her purseAn 80-year-old man has been arrested after a 95-year-old woman was tied up and threatened during an attempted robbery in Salford after being asked about bin collection day, police said.It is understood an assailant entered the woman’s property in Little Hulton in Salford on Tuesday, tied her hands together, and asked for cash and her purse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Absurd’: decent homes standard for England’s private renters will not be enforced until 2035 28. January 2026 (20:41) Campaigners say government is letting landlords ‘drag their feet’ and ‘denying renters the most basic standards’Labour’s promise to make private rented homes in England fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a decade, a decision campaigners have described as “absurd”.The timeline means landlords will have until 2035 to implement a new decent homes standard (DHS) in their properties, which will include “robust standards” to combat disrepair, damp and energy inefficiency. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ICE agents expected to be deployed for Super Bowl in California, officials say 28. January 2026 (20:37) Local officials confirmed that ICE will conduct immigration operations during 8 February game in Santa ClaraUS Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) agents are expected to conduct immigration enforcement operations during next month’s Super Bowl game in Santa Clara, California.Local officials confirmed to media that ICE is expected to deploy for the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations team has long worked the Super Bowl and other major sporting events, largely focused on preventing human trafficking and stopping the sale of counterfeit goods, but immigration operations would be unusual. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
